Methods and systems for monitoring attentiveness of a user based on brain activity

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to monitor attentiveness of a user based on the brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor brain activity associated with an attentiveness level of the user and in response to determining the attentiveness level of the user does not correspond to the threshold attentiveness level, perform an operation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user (e.g., performing a scan operation through various content providers).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/857,749, filed Jul. 24, 2013, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In conventional systems, consumers of media have a plethora of contentoptions available. For example, the rise in content available via cable,satellite, on-demand, and/or Internet systems provides users with everincreasing amounts of content options. Moreover, as the types of deviceson which users may access this media changes, conventional methods(e.g., handheld remote controls, touchscreen interfaces, etc.) may nolonger meet all of the users needs. For example, a small display screen(e.g., common with many mobile devices), with spatial limits for theamount of content that may be displayed, may reduce the efficiency atwhich a user may search and access media.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, method and systems are disclosed herein for a mediaguidance application configured to monitor brain activity in order tonavigate, recommend, provide access to, and perform operations relatedto media content. By monitoring brain activity, in contrast to relyingon one or more convention user input types (e.g., handheld remotecontrols, physical buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc.), a mediaguidance application as disclosed herein may more intuitively and moreefficiently meet the needs of a user.

For example, as described herein a media guidance application configuredto monitor brain activity may perform various functions, including, butnot limited to, recommending media assets that correspond to a mood of auser (or induce a preferred mood), providing on-screen options thatdisplay or provide access to operations without the need for a user tointeract with the options via conventional means, monitoring theattentiveness of a user, compensating for unusual brain activity indistinct areas of the brain, adjusting power levels in a user devicebased on the brain activity of a user, and/or any combinations thereof.Furthermore, the method and systems described herein may be applied to avast array of social and scientific fields such as advertising,personal/commercial entertainment, and/or medical therapy.

In some aspects, the media guidance application (or a user device uponwhich the media guidance application is implemented) may incorporateand/or have access to an electroencephalogram unit (“EEG”) indicating afirst frequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain activity of auser and/or an electromyogram unit (“EMG”) indicating first electricalactivity of muscles near a brain of the user at rest and duringcontraction. For example, an EMG may indicate (by detecting theelectrical activity of muscles associated with the blinking of the eyesof a user) that a user is currently blinking his/her eyes. Furthermore,the EEG and/or the EMG may be incorporated into a battery-powered mobileheadset (e.g., styled as traditional headphones, hats/helmets, glasses,etc.) upon which the media guidance application is implemented and/or incommunication with. The media guidance may initiate monitoring inresponse to a user input entered on the user device (e.g., turning theuser device on), in response to detecting a change (or lack thereof) inbrain activity, and/or based on a predetermined schedule (e.g., when auser typically wakes up from sleeping).

In some aspects, media guidance application (or a user device upon whichthe media guidance application is implemented) may manage powerconsumption of the user device based on brain activity of a user. Forexample, the media guidance application may operate in a plurality ofmodes each associated with a power consumption and/or sensitivity level.In response to the user request to monitor the brain activity of theuser the media guidance application may initiate a first mode, and inresponse to detecting the brain activity of the user does not correspondto a threshold range of brain activity, the media guidance applicationmay change from the first mode to the second mode and monitoring thebrain activity of the user with the user device in the second mode.

For example, the media guidance application (or a user device upon whichthe media guidance application is implemented) may include a “sleepmode” (e.g., a lower powered/lower sensitivity mode) that is initiatedafter prolong periods of similar brain activity and/or repetitive brainactivity cycles. For example, the media guidance application mayinitiate the sleep mode in response to determining that the brainactivity of the user has dropped below a first threshold range (e.g.,associated with an awake user). In another example, the media guidanceapplication may detect that the brain activity of the user exceeds asecond threshold range (e.g., associated with a sleeping user), and inresponse, initiate an “active mode.”

In some aspects, a media guidance application may monitor the brainactivity of a user and determine a first brain state of the user basedon the brain activity. The first brain state (e.g., the currentfrequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain and/or electricalactivity of muscles near the brain at rest and during contraction) maycorrespond to a first mood of the user. The media guidance applicationmay also select a second brain state (e.g., a preferred frequency rangeof voltage fluctuations in the brain and/or electrical activity ofmuscles near the brain at rest and during contraction) that correspondsto a second mood of the user. The media guidance application may comparethe first brain state to the second brain state to determine whether thetwo states correspond (e.g., indicative of whether or not a user iscurrently in a preferred mood). In response to determining the firstbrain state does not correspond to the second brain state, the mediaguidance application may generate a display of a media asset to the userthat is associated with inducing the second brain state.

For example, in response to determining that a user is not in apreferred mood, the media guidance application may generate for displayone or more media assets associated with inducing a particular mood.Additionally or alternatively, in response to determining that the useris in a particular mood, the media guidance application may match mediaassets to that particular mood. To select a particular media asset, themedia guidance application may compare the data associated with thecurrent brain state of the user to a preferred, selected, and/or idealbrain state of the user.

To determine a mood corresponding to a brain state, the media guidanceapplication may cross-reference data associated with the brain state ofthe user (e.g., the first frequency range and/or first electricalactivity of the muscles near the brain) with a database associated withdata related to brain states and corresponding moods. For example, basedon the cross-reference, the media guidance application may determinethat the data associated with the brain state of the user indicates thatthe user is happy, scared, etc. The media guidance may then select asecond brain state (e.g., corresponding to a preferred mood,attentiveness level, etc.) based on a current time, a user input, acurrent activity, or a preferred biorhythmic pattern associated with theuser.

To select a media asset, the media guidance application maycross-reference the second brain state with a database that includes aplurality of previous brain states of the user (e.g., representingvarious moods, attentiveness levels, etc.) and corresponding categoriesof media assets that the user was consuming during each of the previousbrain states. In response to determining a media asset is of thecategory of media assets that the user was consuming during a previousbrain state corresponding to the second brain state, the media guidanceapplication generates a display of the media asset to the user.

In some aspects, the media guidance application may provide a userfeedback associated with his/her brain activity. For example, the mediaguidance application may generate audio/visual cues related to a currentbrain state of the user and/or preferred brain state (or progresstowards a preferred brain state) of the user. For example, the mediaguidance application may monitor the brain activity of the userassociated with a first brain state that is associated with performing afirst operation of the media guidance application (e.g., navigatingabout, or accessing a menu in, a media guide, selecting a media listing,performing a fast-access playback operation, etc.). The media guidanceapplication may generate for display an icon on a display screen thatprovides feedback to the user related to achieving the first brainstate, and in response to detecting a change in the brain activity ofthe user, adjust the icon on the display screen to reflect the change inthe brain activity of the user.

The icon may include a graphical representation of the brain activityassociated with a brain state of the user (e.g., a graph indicating acurrent attentiveness level associated with a user). and a graphicalrepresentation indicating the user's progress towards the first brainstate (e.g., a graph indicting an attentiveness level goal and a user'scurrent progress towards that goal). Additionally or alternatively, theicon may include textual information (e.g., descriptions of mediaguidance applications that may be performed and the brain states neededto trigger each operation) and/or instructions (e.g., instructions onhow to achieve a particular brain state).

In some aspects, the media guidance application may perform one or moremedia guidance applications and/or brain activity operations in responseto detecting particular brain activity and/or determining a user hasachieved a particular brain state. For example, the media guidanceapplication may detect an eye blink pattern of a user (and/or the brainactivity indicative of an eye blink pattern). In response to detectingthe eye blink pattern, the media guidance application may monitor brainactivity associated with an attentiveness level of the user. The mediaguidance application may then cross-reference the brain activityassociated with the attentiveness level of the user with a databaseassociated with attentiveness levels and corresponding brain activity todetermine the attentiveness level of the user. The media guidanceapplication may then compare the attentiveness level of the user to athreshold attentiveness level, and in response to determining theattentiveness level of the user does not correspond to the thresholdattentiveness level, the media guidance application may perform anoperation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user.

For example, the media guidance application may in response to detectingone or more eye blinks of a user, initiate brain monitoring of the user.The media guidance application may then determine whether or not theuser is paying attention (e.g., to a display device associated with themedia guidance application). In response to determining (e.g., based oncomparing the brain activity of the user to reference brain activityknown to be associated with a particular level of attention (either ofthe user or of all users)) an attentiveness level of a user is below athreshold amount, the media guidance application performs an operation.The operation may be related to the attentiveness level of the user(e.g., generating a display of a different media asset, which may be ofinterest to the user).

Additionally, the media guidance application may continue to perform thesame or different operation until it detects a change in the brainactivity of the user (e.g., indicative of a subsequent eye blink patternand/or a change in attentiveness level of the user). For example, inresponse to determining that the user is not paying attention or haslost interest in a current media asset (e.g., a song in a musicplaylist), the media guidance application may present a different mediaasset (e.g., skip to a different song in the music playlist).

In some aspects, the media guidance application may perform a mediaguidance application operation in response to activity detected in aparticular region of the brain of a user. For example, the mediaguidance application may monitor brain activity of the user in a firstregion of the brain and determine a first brain state associated withthe first region based on the monitored brain activity. The mediaguidance application may then cross-reference the first region with adatabase associated with functions performed by the user using regionsof the brain to determine at least one function the user is performingbased on the brain activity of the user in the first region of thebrain. The media guidance application may then compare the first brainstate to a threshold range for performing the at least one function, andin response to determining the first brain state does not correspond tothe threshold range, performing a media guidance operation associatedwith the at least one function.

For example, the media guidance application may detect a state of thebrain activity associated with the occipital lobe of the user. Inresponse to determining that the occipital lobe is associated with thevision, the media guidance application may compare the current brainstate of the user to typical brain states (e.g., of the user or allusers) associated with viewing media assets (e.g., represented by athreshold range). In response to determining that the brain state of theuser does not correspond to the typical brain state (e.g., indicatingthat the user is having difficulty seeing the media assets, the user issquinting, the media asset is too bright, etc.), the media guidanceapplication may modify (e.g., increase the size of text on the displaydevice, reduce a brightness setting of the display device, etc.) themedia assets, display settings, etc. in order to align the brain stateof the user with the typical brain state.

In another example, the media guidance application may detect a state ofthe brain activity associated with various regions of the brain in orderto perform a function. For example, the media guidance application maydetect a state of the brain activity associated with the occipital lobe(e.g., associated with vision) and the parietal lobe (e.g., associatedwith reading) of the user. In response to determining that the brainstate of the brain activity associated with the occipital lobe (e.g.,associated with vision) and the parietal lobe (e.g., associated withreading) of the user does not correspond to the typical brain state of auser, while the temporal lobe (e.g., associated with hearing) doescorrespond to the typical brain state of the user, the media guidanceapplication may modify the media assets, display settings, etc. suchthat text or important events are communicated to the user via verbalmeans (e.g., audio announcements).

In some aspects, the media guidance application may perform mediaguidance application operations in response to changes in brain activityof a user. For example, the media guidance application may receive auser request to monitor the brain activity of the user with a userdevice and monitor the brain activity of the user. The media guidanceapplication may then compare the brain activity of the user to athreshold range of brain activity, and in response to determining thatthe brain activity of the user does not correspond to the thresholdrange based on the comparison, instruct the user device to ceasemonitoring the brain activity of the user.

Additionally, in response to determining that the brain activity of theuser does not correspond to the threshold range, the media guidanceapplication may perform a media guidance application operation. Forexample, the media guidance application may record and/or pause a mediaasset currently being presented on a display device.

The media guidance application may also deactivate the user device inresponse to determining that the brain activity of the user does notcorrespond to the threshold range. For example, using an EEG and/or theEMG incorporated in to mobile headset, the media guidance applicationmay determine that the brain activity of the user indicates that theuser is currently awake. The media guidance application may monitor fora threshold range of brain activity (e.g., corresponding to apredetermined frequency range and amplitude) that indicates that theuser has fallen asleep. In response to detecting that the user hasfallen asleep, the media guidance application may power off the userdevice.

It should be noted, the systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or aspectsdescribed above may be applied to, or used in accordance with, othersystems, methods, apparatuses, and/or aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the disclosure will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1A shows an illustrative media guidance application for selectingmedia assets in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows an illustrative media guidance application for selectingmedia assets featuring an on-screen icon associated with brain activityof a user in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C shows an illustrative media guidance application for selectingmedia assets featuring an on-screen icon indicating a user currently hasa low attentiveness level in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative media guidance application that may be usedto adjust user settings in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative user equipment device inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative media system in accordancewith some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a representation of a user and regions of the brain of theuser associated with monitoring brain activity in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows multiple user devices that may be associated withmonitoring brain activity in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in generating amedia asset for display to a user, in which the media asset isassociated with inducing a particular brain state in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in selecting amedia asset associated with inducing a particular brain state inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in generating anicon associated with the brain activity of a user in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in updating anicon associated with the brain activity of a user in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved performing anoperation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in detecting andresponding to various types of brain activity in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in monitoringparticular regions of a brain for brain activity associated withparticular functions in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in determining afunction associated with particular brain activity in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in changing auser device from one mode to another based on brain activity inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in determiningwhen to change a user device from one mode to another based on brainactivity in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in halting themonitoring of brain activity in based on brain activity of a useraccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in performing amedia guidance application operation based on brain activity of a userin accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a table that shows a percent decrease in the amplitudes ofvarious frequency bands one minute after a user closed his eyes andbegan resting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Method and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance applicationconfigured to monitor brain activity. As the amount of content availableto users in any given content delivery system can be substantial, manyusers desire a form of media guidance through an interface that allowsusers to efficiently navigate content selections and easily identifycontent that they may desire. An application that provides such guidanceis referred to herein as an interactive media guidance application or,sometimes, a media guidance application or a guidance application.

Interactive media guidance applications may take various forms dependingon the content for which they provide guidance. One typical type ofmedia guidance application is an interactive television program guide.Interactive television program guides (sometimes referred to aselectronic program guides) are well-known guidance applications that,among other things, allow users to navigate among and locate many typesof content or media assets. Interactive media guidance applications maygenerate graphical user interface screens that enable a user to navigateamong, locate and select content. As referred to herein, the terms“media asset” and “content” should be understood to mean anelectronically consumable user asset, such as television programming, aswell as pay-per-view programs, on-demand programs (as in video-on-demand(VOD) systems), Internet content (e.g., streaming content, downloadablecontent, Webcasts, etc.), video clips, audio, content information,pictures, rotating images, documents, playlists, websites, articles,books, electronic books, blogs, advertisements, chat sessions, socialmedia, applications, games, and/or any other media or multimedia and/orcombination of the same. Guidance applications also allow users tonavigate among and locate content. As referred to herein, the term“multimedia” should be understood to mean content that utilizes at leasttwo different content forms described above, for example, text, audio,images, video, or interactivity content forms. Content may be recorded,played, displayed or accessed by user equipment devices, but can also bepart of a live performance.

With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and high-speedwireless networks, users are accessing media on user equipment deviceswhich they traditionally did not use. As referred to herein, the phrase“user equipment device,” “user equipment,” “user device,” “electronicdevice,” “electronic equipment,” “media equipment device,” or “mediadevice” should be understood to mean any device for accessing thecontent described above, such as a television, a Smart TV, a set-topbox, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) for handling satellitetelevision, a digital storage device, a digital media receiver (DMR), adigital media adapter (DMA), a streaming media device, a DVD player, aDVD recorder, a connected DVD, a local media server, a BLU-RAY player, aBLU-RAY recorder, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), a PCmedia server, a PC media center, a hand-held computer, a stationarytelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, aportable video player, a portable music player, a portable gamingmachine, a smart phone, or any other television equipment, computingequipment, or wireless device, and/or combination of the same. In someembodiments, the user equipment device may have a front facing screenand a rear facing screen, multiple front screens, or multiple angledscreens. In some embodiments, the user equipment device may have a frontfacing camera and/or a rear facing camera. On these user equipmentdevices, users may be able to navigate among and locate the same contentavailable through a television. Consequently, media guidance may beavailable on these devices, as well. The guidance provided may be forcontent available only through a television, for content available onlythrough one or more of other types of user equipment devices, or forcontent available both through a television and one or more of the othertypes of user equipment devices. The media guidance applications may beprovided as on-line applications (i.e., provided on a web-site), or asstand-alone applications or clients on user equipment devices. Variousdevices and platforms that may implement media guidance applications aredescribed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, a user device may be configured to monitor brainactivity upon which various media guidance application operations andfeatures may be based. For example, based on brain activity information,the media guidance application may recommend media assets thatcorrespond to a mood of a user or are likely to induce a preferred moodof the user, provide on-screen feedback about current brain activity ofthe user, adjust media assets and/or media guides in order to compensatefor unusual brain activity in distinct areas of the brain, adjust powerlevels in the user device, and/or any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the user device may incorporate and/or have accessto an electroencephalogram unit (“EEG”). An EEG measures electricalactivity associated with a brain of a user. For example, an EEG maymeasure voltage fluctuations and/or the frequency or frequency range ofvoltage fluctuations generated by the brain of a user.

For example, an EEG may describe rhythmic brain activity. Rhythmicactivity (e.g., activity associated with neural oscillation) also knownas brain waves may be described in terms of frequency bands or frequencyranges. For example, a delta band includes a frequency range of up toabout 4 Hz with a typical amplitude of 20-200 microvolts. Delta bandsare, in some circumstances, associated with a sleeping state of a user.Theta bands include a frequency range of 4 to 8 Hz with a typicalamplitude of 10 microvolts. Theta bands are, in some circumstances,associated with drowsiness. Alpha bands include a frequency range of 8to 13 Hz with a typical amplitude of 20-200 microvolts. Alpha bands are,in some circumstances, associated with a relaxed state and/or theblinking of a user's eyes. Beta bands include frequencies of 13 to 30 Hzwith a typical amplitude of 5-10 microvolts. Beta bands are, in somecircumstances, associated with alertness, concentration, and/or anxiety.Gamma bands include a frequency range of 30 to 100 Hz and may havevarious amplitudes. Gamma bands are, in some circumstances, associatedwith combinations of senses of a user (e.g., sight, smell, sound, touch,taste) and/or short term memory. Frequency bands and frequency ranges aswell as the symmetry of these bands and ranges across the brain of auser are also associated with various moods, which is discussed indetail in Rybak, “Frontal Alpha Power Asymmetry in Aggressive Childrenand Adolescents With Mood and Disruptive Behavior Disorders,” ClinicalEEL and Neuroscience, Vol. 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

Additional discussion about the use of EEG's to detect a level ofattention, engagement, frustration, anxiety, emotional state, andcomprehension are discussed in detail in Wyczesany, Miroslaw et al.,“Subjective mood estimation co-varies with spectral power EEGcharacteristics,” Department of Psychophysiology, JagiellonianUniversity, Krakow, Poland, Acta Neurobiol Exp, 68: 180-192, 2008, Tan,Bao Hong, “Using a Low-cost EEG Sensor to Detect Mental States,CMU-CS-12-134, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University,August 2012, Hamadicharef et al., “Learning EEG-based Spectral-SpatialPatterns for Attention Level Measurement,” Institute for InfocommResearch, 2009, Bos, Danny Oude, “EEG-based Emotion Recognition, TheInfluence of Visual and Auditory Stimuli,” Department of ComputerScience, University of Twente, 2006, and Pradeep et al., U.S. Pat. No.8,392,250, issued Mar. 5, 2013, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the user device incorporates and/or has access toan electromyogram unit (“EMG”). An EMG measures the electrical activityof muscles at rest and during contraction. The use of EMG and EEG forproviding biofeedback is discussed in detail in Frank et al.,“Biofeedback in medicine: who, when, why and how?” Ment. Health Fam.Med., June 2010, and Wartena et al., U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2012/0029322, filed Mar. 24, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, the user devicemay include additional components for detecting brain activity, moods,and attentiveness of a user as discussed in detail in Lee et al., U.S.Pat. No. 8,332,883, issued Dec. 11, 2012, and Bill, U.S. Pat. No.8,373,768, issued Feb. 12, 2013, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

In some embodiments, a user device may also distinguish between thedifferent areas of the brain and the different functions of each area ofthe brain. For example, the frontal lobes are typically associated withplanning, problem-solving, voluntary motor control, cognition,intelligence, attention, language processing and comprehension, andvarious emotions. The parietal lobe is typically associated withperception and integration of somatosensory information (e.g., touch,pressure, temperature, and pain) visuospatial processing, spatialattention, spatial mapping, and number representation. The occipitallobe is typically associated with vision, including color, orientation,and motion. The temporal lobe is typically associated with recognition,perception, hearing, smell, and memory. The regions and functions of thebrain, in particular their effect on attention and emotion are discussedin detail in Yamasaki et al., “Dissociable prefrontal brain systems forattention and emotion,” PNAS, vol. 99, no. 17, 2002, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, a user device may be configured as a headset. Asused herein a “headset” refers to any device or article worn or affixedto a user for monitoring brain activity. For example, a user device formonitoring brain activity may be fashioned as a pair of headphones, ahat, a helmet, a pair of glasses, and/or other configuration for use bya user. In some embodiments, a headset may be powered by a local energystorage device (e.g., a battery). For example, in some embodiments, aheadset may be rechargeable and/or include replaceable energy storagedevices.

The media guidance application (or a user device upon which the mediaguidance application is implemented) may manage power consumption of theuser device based on brain activity of a user. For example, the mediaguidance application may operate in a plurality of modes each associatedwith a power consumption and/or sensitivity level. For example, themedia guidance application (or the user device upon which the mediaguidance application is implemented) may trigger various modes on theuser device based on a change (or lack of change during a period oftime) in brain activity (e.g., a brain state, frequency range, etc.).

Additionally or alternatively, the media guidance application (or theuser device upon which the media guidance application is implemented)may trigger various modes on the user device for detecting brainactivity based on the particular media guidance operation beingperformed (or not being performed). For example, the media guidanceapplication may determine that a particular mode (e.g., with aparticular power consumption level and/or sensitivity level) correspondsto determining a mood or a user, whereas a different mode corresponds todetermining an attentiveness level of a user.

For example, in response to a user request to perform media guidanceoperations (e.g., schedule a recording) based on monitored brainactivity, the media guidance application may initiate a first mode, and,in response to receiving a user request, to perform a different mediaguidance operation (e.g., recommend a media listing based on a mood ofthe user), the media guidance application may initiate a second mode.Furthermore, the media guidance application may automatically adjust thevarious modes initiated and/or switch from one mode to another. Forexample, in response to detecting the brain activity of the user doesnot correspond to a threshold range of brain activity (e.g., associatedwith actively performing media guidance application operations), themedia guidance application may change from a first mode to the secondmode (e.g., associated with non-actively performing media guidanceapplications). This “sleep” or “stand-by” mode may feature reduce powerconsumption levels and/or sensitivity levels, which may be beneficial inconserving energy consumption as well as reducing a user's exposure tothe techniques used to monitor the brain activity.

For example, the media guidance application (or a user device upon whichthe media guidance application is implemented) may include a “sleepmode” (e.g., a lower powered/lower sensitivity mode) that is initiatedafter prolonged periods of similar brain activity and/or repetitivebrain activity cycles (e.g., indicating that the user is sleeping,engaged in a repetitive activity, and/or does not currently need toperform any media guidance application operations. For example, themedia guidance application may initiate the sleep mode in response todetermining that the brain activity of the user has dropped below afirst threshold range (e.g., associated with an awake user). In anotherexample, the media guidance application may detect that the brainactivity of the user exceeds a second threshold range (e.g., associatedwith a sleeping user), and in response, initiate an “active mode.”

In some embodiments, a media guidance application (or a user device uponwhich the media guidance application is implemented) may detect and/ormonitor brain activity of a user. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may determine whether or not the brain activity ofa user corresponds to a threshold range. As referred to herein, a“threshold range” refers to a frequency range and/or amplitude of brainactivity that defines the boundaries of a brain state. For example, athreshold range may be defined as a particular frequency range (in Hz)associated with a brain state of a user, may be defined as frequencybands associated with a brain state of a user, and/or may be definedaccording to any other measurement that describes the current,preferred, past, and/or future brain state of a user. In someembodiments, a threshold range may account for any transient variationsand amplitudes in brain state. For example, a threshold range may bedefined as an average amplitude, frequency, frequency range, and/orfrequency band over a particular period of time. In addition, athreshold range may refer to a composite range that includes one or moreamplitudes and/or frequencies associated with one or more waves. Forexample, in some embodiments, a particular brain state may correspond tobrain activity corresponding to theta bands with a first amplitude anddelta bands at a second amplitude.

It should also be noted that in some embodiments, a threshold range mayitself include one or more threshold ranges. For example, a thresholdrange associated with one brain state (e.g., a user being awake) mayitself include numerous other threshold ranges (e.g., a mood of theuser, an attentiveness level of the user, etc.).

As referred to herein, a “brain state” refers to a qualitativeassessment of the mood, level of anxiety, level of attentiveness, levelof comprehension, level of proficiency associated with one or morefunctions (e.g., reading text on a screen, hearing audio, etc.) of auser, and/or a combination thereof associated with the brain activity ofthe user. A brain state can be quantified as corresponding to aparticular threshold range, and different brain states may be comparedbased on their corresponding threshold ranges.

Brain states may be identified by a user device (e.g., upon which amedia guidance application is implemented) that incorporates and/or haveaccess to a device for monitoring brain waves (e.g., an EEG, EMG, and/orany other device discussed herein). The media guidance application maymonitor the brain activity (e.g., brain waves) of a user and determine afirst brain state of the user based on the brain activity. The firstbrain state (e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuationsin the brain, electrical activity of muscles near the brain at rest andduring contraction, and/or threshold range) may correspond to a firstmood of the user. The media guidance application may also select asecond brain state (e.g., a preferred frequency range of voltagefluctuations in the brain, electrical activity of muscles near the brainat rest and during contraction, and/or threshold range) that correspondsto a second mood of the user. The media guidance application may comparethe first brain state to the second brain state (e.g., compare thefrequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain, electricalactivity of muscles near the brain at rest and during contraction,and/or threshold range associated with the first state to the frequencyrange of voltage fluctuations in the brain, electrical activity ofmuscles near the brain at rest and during contraction, and/or thresholdrange associated with the second state) to determine whether two statescorresponds (e.g., indicate the same frequency range of voltagefluctuations in the brain, electrical activity of muscles near the brainat rest and during contraction, and/or threshold range). In response todetermining the first brain state does not corresponds to the secondbrain state, the media guidance application may generate a display of amedia asset to the user that is associated with inducing the secondbrain state.

For example, in response to determining that a user is not in apreferred mood, the media guidance application may generate for displayone or more media assets associated with inducing a particular mood.Additionally or alternatively, in response to determining that the useris in a particular mood, the media guidance application may match mediaassets to that particular mood. To select a particular media asset, themedia guidance application may compare the data associated with thecurrent brain state of the user to a preferred, selected, and/or idealbrain state of the user.

To determine a mood corresponding to a brain state, the media guidanceapplication may cross-reference data associated with the brain state ofthe user (e.g., a frequency range, an electrical activity of the musclesnear the brain, and/or a threshold range) with a database associatedwith data related to brain states and corresponding moods. For example,based on the cross-reference, the media guidance application maydetermine that the data associated with the brain state of the userindicates that the user is confused, nervous, etc. The media guidancemay then select a new brain state (e.g., corresponding to a preferredmood, attentiveness level, etc.) based on a current time, a user input,a current activity, or a preferred biorhythmic pattern associated withthe user.

For example, the media guidance application may receive instructionsfrom the user indicating that the user wishes to be in a particular mood(e.g., happy) every evening at six o'clock PM. In response, the mediaguidance application may ensure the user is happy at that time bygenerating a display of a media asset that is associated with happinessof the user at six o'clock PM. In another example, the media guidanceapplication may receive instructions from the user indicating that theuser wishes to follow a particular schedule for his/her biorhythmicactivity (e.g., the user wishes to maintain a therapeutic gradualincrease and decrease in brain activity, frequency bands, etc.) Inresponse, the media guidance ensures the brain activity of the usercorresponds to the schedule, and if not, generates a display of a mediaasset (e.g., a movie that corresponds to the current brain activity ofthe schedule, a display of textual instructions such as “Calm Down,”“Relax,” “Breath Deeply,” “Concentrate,” associated with maintaining theschedule).

To select a media asset for display, the media guidance application maycross-reference a preferred brain state with a database that includes aplurality of previous brain states of the user (e.g., representingvarious moods, attentiveness levels, etc.) and corresponding categoriesof media assets that the user was consuming during each of the previousbrain states. In response to determining a media asset is of thecategory of media assets that the user was consuming during a previousbrain state corresponding to the second brain state, the media guidanceapplication selects the media asset for display to the user.

The media guidance application may also calibrate and/or perform atraining/set-up mode. For example, the media guidance application mayreceive information from the user, in which the user describes and/orrates current brain states of the user. For example, during calibration,the media guidance application may detect a brain state and ask the userto describe the brain (e.g., designate the state as associated with aparticular mood). The current brain state of the user (e.g., the currentthreshold range) will then be designated as corresponding to theparticular mood. Additionally or alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may receive instructions designating a particular brainstate as corresponding to a particular mood. For example, the mediaguidance application may retrieve/receive instructions that indicatethat a threshold range of 8 to 10 Hz indicates that the particular useris in a happy mood. Additionally, the media guidance application mayretrieve/receive instructions that indicate that a threshold range of 10to 13 Hz indicates that the particular user is in a sad mood. In anotherexample, if the average amplitude of a threshold range is 50 microvoltsand an average frequency range is 7 Hz, the media guidance applicationmay determine that the threshold range indicates that a user iscurrently anxious.

The media guidance application may also offer training opportunities.For example, the media guidance application may generate for displaymedia assets in sequence in order to sway or induce a user into aparticular brain state. The media guidance application may also offertips or instructions for achieving a particular brain state. Forexample, the media guidance application may generate on-screeninstructions for achieving and/or maintaining particular brain states(e.g., moods, attentiveness levels, etc.).

The media guidance application may perform numerous operations for theuser. As referred to herein, a “media guidance application operation”refers to any operation corresponding to providing, receiving, andgenerating media guidance data for consumption by a user. For example,media guidance application operations include displaying media guidancedata, providing options to navigate, select, and edit media guidancedata or content (e.g., a media asset) associated with media guidancedata, and/or manipulating a device used to access (e.g., a displaydevice), retrieve (e.g., a server), and/or associate media guidance datawith a user (e.g., a user device for monitoring brain activity). One ofthe operations of the media guidance application is to provide mediaguidance data to users. As referred to herein, the phrase, “mediaguidance data” or “guidance data” should be understood to mean any datarelated to content, such as media listings, media-related information(e.g., broadcast times, broadcast channels, titles, descriptions,ratings information (e.g., parental control ratings, critic's ratings,etc.), genre or category information, actor information, logo data forbroadcasters' or providers' logos, etc.), media format (e.g., standarddefinition, high definition, 3D, etc.), advertisement information (e.g.,text, images, media clips, etc.), on-demand information, blogs,websites, and any other type of guidance data that is helpful for a userto navigate among and locate desired content selections.

Other operations of a media guidance application are to play mediaassets and provide fast access playback operations for those mediaassets. As referred to herein, the phrase “fast-access playbackoperations” should be understood to mean any operation that pertains toplaying back a non-linear media asset faster than normal playback speedor in a different order than the media asset is designed to be played,such as a fast-forward, rewind, skip, chapter selection, segmentselection, skip segment, jump segment, next segment, previous segment,skip advertisement or commercial, next chapter, previous chapter or anyother operation that does not play back the media asset at normalplayback speed. The fast-access playback operation may be any playbackoperation that is not “play,” where the play operation plays back themedia asset at normal playback speed.

FIGS. 1A-C and 2 show illustrative display screens that may be used toprovide media guidance data. The display screens shown in FIGS. 1A-C and2 may be implemented on any suitable user equipment device or platform.While the displays of FIGS. 1A-C and 2 are illustrated as full screendisplays, they may also be fully or partially overlaid over contentbeing displayed. A user may indicate a desire to access contentinformation by selecting a selectable option provided in a displayscreen (e.g., a menu option, a listings option, an icon, a hyperlink,etc.) or pressing a dedicated button (e.g., a GUIDE button) on a remotecontrol or other user input interface or device. In response to theuser's indication, the media guidance application may provide a displayscreen with media guidance data organized in one of several ways, suchas by time and channel in a grid, by time, by channel, by source, bycontent type, by category (e.g., movies, sports, news, children, orother categories of programming), or other predefined, user-defined, orother organization criteria. The organization of the media guidance datais determined by guidance application data. As referred to herein, thephrase, “guidance application data” should be understood to mean dataused in operating the guidance application, such as program information,guidance application settings, user preferences, or user profileinformation.

FIG. 1A shows illustrative grid program listings display 100 arranged bytime and channel that also enables access to different types of contentin a single display. Display 100 may include grid 102 with: (1) a columnof channel/content type identifiers 104, where each channel/content typeidentifier (which is a cell in the column) identifies a differentchannel or content type available; and (2) a row of time identifiers106, where each time identifier (which is a cell in the row) identifiesa time block of programming. Grid 102 also includes cells of programlistings, such as program listing 108, where each listing provides thetitle of the program provided on the listing's associated channel andtime. With a user input device, a user can select program listings bymoving highlight region 110. Information relating to the program listingselected by highlight region 110 may be provided in program informationregion 112. Region 112 may include, for example, the program title, theprogram description, the time the program is provided (if applicable),the channel the program is on (if applicable), the program's rating, andother desired information.

In addition to providing access to linear programming (e.g., contentthat is scheduled to be transmitted to a plurality of user equipmentdevices at a predetermined time and is provided according to aschedule), the media guidance application also provides access tonon-linear programming (e.g., content accessible to a user equipmentdevice at any time and is not provided according to a schedule).Non-linear programming may include content from different contentsources including on-demand content (e.g., VOD), Internet content (e.g.,streaming media, downloadable media, etc.), locally stored content(e.g., content stored on any user equipment device described above orother storage device), or other time-independent content. On-demandcontent may include movies or any other content provided by a particularcontent provider (e.g., HBO On Demand providing “The Sopranos” and “CurbYour Enthusiasm”). HBO ON DEMAND is a service mark owned by Time WarnerCompany L. P. et al. and THE SOPRANOS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM aretrademarks owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. Internet content mayinclude web events, such as a chat session or Webcast, or contentavailable on-demand as streaming content or downloadable content throughan Internet web site or other Internet access (e.g. FTP).

Grid 102 may provide media guidance data for non-linear programmingincluding on-demand listing 114, recorded content listing 116, andInternet content listing 118. A display combining media guidance datafor content from different types of content sources is sometimesreferred to as a “mixed-media” display. Various permutations of thetypes of media guidance data that may be displayed that are differentthan display 100 may be based on user selection or guidance applicationdefinition (e.g., a display of only recorded and broadcast listings,only on-demand and broadcast listings, etc.). As illustrated, listings114, 116, and 118 are shown as spanning the entire time block displayedin grid 102 to indicate that selection of these listings may provideaccess to a display dedicated to on-demand listings, recorded listings,or Internet listings, respectively. In some embodiments, listings forthese content types may be included directly in grid 102. Additionalmedia guidance data may be displayed in response to the user selectingone of the navigational icons 120. (Pressing an arrow key on a userinput device may affect the display in a similar manner as selectingnavigational icons 120.)

Display 100 may also include video region 122, advertisement 124, andoptions region 126. Video region 122 may allow the user to view and/orpreview programs that are currently available, will be available, orwere available to the user. The content of video region 122 maycorrespond to, or be independent from, one of the listings displayed ingrid 102. Grid displays including a video region are sometimes referredto as picture-in-guide (PIG) displays. PIG displays and theirfunctionalities are described in greater detail in Satterfield et al.U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,378, issued May 13, 2003 and Yuen et al. U.S. Pat.No. 6,239,794, issued May 29, 2001, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties. PIG displays may be included inother media guidance application display screens of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

Advertisement 124 may provide an advertisement for content that,depending on a viewer's access rights (e.g., for subscriptionprogramming), is currently available for viewing, will be available forviewing in the future, or may never become available for viewing, andmay correspond to or be unrelated to one or more of the content listingsin grid 102. Advertisement 124 may also be for products or servicesrelated or unrelated to the content displayed in grid 102. Advertisement124 may be selectable and provide further information about content,provide information about a product or a service, enable purchasing ofcontent, a product, or a service, provide content relating to theadvertisement, etc. Advertisement 124 may be targeted based on a user'sprofile/preferences, monitored user activity, the type of displayprovided, or on other suitable targeted advertisement bases.

While advertisement 124 is shown as rectangular or banner shaped,advertisements may be provided in any suitable size, shape, and locationin a guidance application display. For example, advertisement 124 may beprovided as a rectangular shape that is horizontally adjacent to grid102. This is sometimes referred to as a panel advertisement. Inaddition, advertisements may be overlaid over content or a guidanceapplication display or embedded within a display. Advertisements mayalso include text, images, rotating images, video clips, or other typesof content described above. Advertisements may be stored in a userequipment device having a guidance application, in a database connectedto the user equipment, in a remote location (including streaming mediaservers), or on other storage means, or a combination of theselocations. Providing advertisements in a media guidance application isdiscussed in greater detail in, for example, Knudson et al., U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0110499, filed Jan. 17, 2003; Ward, IIIet al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,997, issued Jun. 29, 2004; and Schein et al.U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,714, issued May 14, 2002, which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties. It will beappreciated that advertisements may be included in other media guidanceapplication display screens of the embodiments described herein.

Options region 126 may allow the user to access different types ofcontent, media guidance application displays, and/or media guidanceapplication features. Options region 126 may be part of display 100 (andother display screens described herein), or may be invoked by a user byselecting an on-screen option or pressing a dedicated or assignablebutton on a user input device. The selectable options within optionsregion 126 may concern features related to program listings in grid 102or may include options available from a main menu display. Featuresrelated to program listings may include searching for other air times orways of receiving a program, recording a program, enabling seriesrecording of a program, setting program and/or channel as a favorite,purchasing a program, or other features. Options available from a mainmenu display may include search options, VOD options, parental controloptions, Internet options, cloud-based options, device synchronizationoptions, second screen device options, options to access various typesof media guidance data displays, options to subscribe to a premiumservice, options to edit a user's profile, options to access a browseoverlay, or other options.

The media guidance application may be personalized based on a user'spreferences. A personalized media guidance application allows a user tocustomize displays and features to create a personalized “experience”with the media guidance application. This personalized experience may becreated by allowing a user to input these customizations and/or by themedia guidance application monitoring user activity to determine varioususer preferences. Users may access their personalized guidanceapplication by logging in or otherwise identifying themselves to theguidance application. Customization of the media guidance applicationmay be made in accordance with a user profile. The customizations mayinclude varying presentation schemes (e.g., color scheme of displays,font size of text, etc.), aspects of content listings displayed (e.g.,only HDTV or only 3D programming, user-specified broadcast channelsbased on favorite channel selections, re-ordering the display ofchannels, recommended content, etc.), desired recording features (e.g.,recording or series recordings for particular users, recording quality,etc.), parental control settings, customized presentation of Internetcontent (e.g., presentation of social media content, e-mail,electronically delivered articles, etc.) and other desiredcustomizations.

The media guidance application may allow a user to provide user profileinformation or may automatically compile user profile information. Themedia guidance application may, for example, monitor the content theuser accesses and/or other interactions the user may have with theguidance application. Additionally, the media guidance application mayobtain all or part of other user profiles that are related to aparticular user (e.g., from other web sites on the Internet the useraccesses, such as www.allrovi.com, from other media guidanceapplications the user accesses, from other interactive applications theuser accesses, from another user equipment device of the user, etc.),and/or obtain information about the user from other sources that themedia guidance application may access. As a result, a user can beprovided with a unified guidance application experience across theuser's different user equipment devices. This type of user experience isdescribed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 4. Additionalpersonalized media guidance application features are described ingreater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0251827, filed Jul. 11, 2005, Boyer et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,165,098, issued Jan. 16, 2007, and Ellis et al., U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2002/0174430, filed Feb. 21, 2002, which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIG. 1B shows an illustrative media guidance application for selectingmedia assets featuring an on-screen icon associated with brain activityof a user. For example, in some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication may generate a display of an on-screen icon that providesfeedback to a user regarding the user's current brain activity.

For example, in order to provide a user with guidance related toperforming media guidance application operations using their brainwaves, the media guidance application may provide a user feedbackassociated with his/her brain activity. For example, the media guidanceapplication may generate audio/visual cues related to a current brainstate of the user and/or preferred brain state (or progress towards apreferred brain state) of the user. For example, the media guidanceapplication may monitor the brain activity of the user associated with afirst brain state that is associated with performing a first operationof the media guidance application (e.g., navigating about, or accessinga menu in, a media guide, selecting a media listing, performing afast-access playback operation, etc.). The media guidance applicationmay generate for display an icon on a display screen that providesfeedback to the user related to achieving the first brain state, and inresponse to detecting a change in the brain activity of the user, themedia guidance application may adjust the icon on the display screen toreflect the change in the brain activity of the user.

The icon may include a graphical representation of the brain activityassociated with a brain state of the user (e.g., a graph indicating acurrent attentiveness level associated with a user). and a graphicalrepresentation indicating the user's progress towards the first brainstate (e.g., a graph indicting an attentiveness level goal and a user'scurrent progress towards that goal). Additionally or alternatively, theicon may include textual information (e.g., descriptions of mediaguidance applications that may be performed and the brain states neededto trigger each operation) and/or instructions (e.g., instructions onhow to achieve a particular brain state). Additionally or alternatively,the icon may include audio information (e.g., sound effects, verbalinstructions, etc.).

In FIG. 1B, the media guidance application has currently generated adisplay of icon 134 on display 130. Icon 134 has several graphicalrepresentations. For example, icon 134 includes graphical representation132 of an “Attention Meter,” which indicates a current attentivenesslevel of the user. The “Attention Meter” appears as a thermometer, whichwhen full (e.g., representing a particular threshold level ofattentiveness) may trigger a particular media guidance applicationoperation.

As used herein, a “threshold attentiveness level” refers to a particularattentiveness level required for the media guidance application toperform an operation. For example, in response to detecting that thecurrent attentiveness level of a user exceeds the thresholdattentiveness level, the media guidance application may perform aparticular media guidance application operation (e.g., generated adisplay of a currently highlighted program).

The use of a graphical and/or animated representation in icon 134provides an intuitive system through which to provide feedback to a userregarding the brain activity of the user. Additionally or alternatively,the media guidance application may generate other graphicalrepresentation in the form of any element that conveys a particularmessage to a user (e.g., whether a graph, video clip, inspirationmessage, etc.).

Icon 134 also includes several graphical representations that aretextual elements. The graphical representations may serve multiplepurposes. For example, while an animated meter may provide a user withhis/her current progress related to performing one or more mediaguidance application operations, textual elements may provide a userinstructions for performing a media guidance application operations(e.g., what brain state is needed to trigger the media guidanceapplication operation) and/or indications of what media guidanceapplication operations are available. For example, icon 134 includes atextual element 136 of “Concentrate!” that indicates to a user that theuser needs to concentrate (e.g., increase his/her attentiveness level)to perform a particular media guidance application operation.

In addition, icon 134 includes textual element 138, which indicates tothe user a particular media guidance application operation that isavailable. Textual element 138 states, “Focus on Selecting ‘TheSimpsons’”. For example, the media guidance application may respond todetecting a threshold attentiveness level of the user by selecting acurrently highlighted object (e.g., program listing 108); therefore, themedia guidance application may provide textual element 138 to inform theuser of the result of his/her attentiveness level.

In some embodiments, icon 134 may also indicate media guidanceapplication operations that may occur in response to not detecting aparticular brain state. For example, if the user does not achieve abrain state corresponding to a level of attentiveness that exceeds athreshold attentiveness level, the media guidance application mayautomatically perform a particular media guidance application operation.

For example, FIG. 1C shows an illustrative media guidance applicationfor selecting media assets featuring an on-screen icon indicating a usercurrently has a low attentiveness level. In FIG. 1C, a user did notachieve a threshold attentiveness level (e.g., in a particular timeperiod), and in response, the media guidance application hasautomatically, without user input, performed a browse operation (e.g.,the browse operation may include scrolling from one program listing toanother program listing in a media guide, scrolling from one time/dateto a different time/date, etc.). As shown in display 150, the mediaguidance application has initiated a browse operation and programlisting 152 is now highlighted.

In display 150, icon 134 now includes new graphical representations thatcorrespond to the media guidance application operation currently beingperformed. For example, the media guidance applications has nowgenerated a display of icon 134 which includes textual element 140 thatinstructs a user to “Blink eyes to stop browsing!!” Consequently, insome embodiments, in response to detecting brain activity associatedwith a user blinking his/her eyes, the media guidance application mayhalt the browse operation (e.g., the media guidance application may stopscrolling through media listings and remain on a single media listing).

Another display arrangement for providing media guidance is shown inFIG. 2. Video mosaic display 200 includes selectable options 202 forcontent information organized based on content type, genre, and/or otherorganization criteria. In display 200, selectable option 204 isselected, thus initiating brain monitoring of a user. In someembodiments, selecting selectable option 204 may switch a user deviceconfigured to monitor the brain activity of a user from a first mode(e.g., a “sleep mode”) to a second mode (e.g., an “active mode”).

In response to selectable option 204 being selected, the media guidanceapplication has also generated a display of icon 218, which instructs auser regarding the monitoring of brain activity. For example, icon 218instructs a user to blink his/her eyes in order to scroll the differentmedia guidance application operations that are available. For example,the media guidance application may scroll all available media guidanceapplication operations, select a particular operation to monitor for,etc. based on receiving a corresponding eye blink pattern from a user.

As used herein, an “eye blink pattern” refers to a combination of blinksof a user and pauses before or after a blink that causes the mediaguidance application to perform an action. For example, the mediaguidance application may be configured to respond to particular eyeblink patterns, which may be detected while monitoring brain activity.For example, the media guidance application may monitor alpha bands(e.g., typically associated with eye blinking) in the globus pallidus ofthe basal ganglia (e.g., the area of the brain typically associated withcontrolling eye blinking) of a user in order to detect an eye blinkpattern. It should be noted that in some embodiments, an eye blinkpattern may include only a single blink.

In display 200 listings may provide graphical images including coverart, still images from the content, video clip previews, live video fromthe content, or other types of content that indicate to a user thecontent being described by the media guidance data in the listing. Eachof the graphical listings may also be accompanied by text to providefurther information about the content associated with the listing. Forexample, listings 208, 210, and 212 may include more than one portion,including media portion 214 and text portion 216. Media portion 214and/or text portion 216 may be selectable to view content in full-screenor to view information related to the content displayed in media portion214 (e.g., to view listings for the channel that the video is displayedon).

The listings in display 200 are of different sizes (i.e., listing 206 islarger than listings 208, 210, and 212), but if desired, all thelistings may be the same size. Listings may be of different sizes orgraphically accentuated to indicate degrees of interest to the user orto emphasize certain content, as desired by the content provider orbased on user preferences. Various systems and methods for graphicallyaccentuating content listings are discussed in, for example, Yates, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0153885, filed Dec. 29, 2005,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Users may access content and the media guidance application (and itsdisplay screens described above and below) from one or more of theiruser equipment devices. FIG. 3 shows a generalized embodiment ofillustrative user equipment device 300. More specific implementations ofuser equipment devices are discussed below in connection with FIG. 4.User equipment device 300 may receive content and data via input/output(hereinafter “I/O”) path 302. I/O path 302 may provide content (e.g.,broadcast programming, on-demand programming, Internet content, contentavailable over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN),and/or other content) and data to control circuitry 304, which includesprocessing circuitry 306 and storage 308. Control circuitry 304 may beused to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable datausing I/O path 302. I/O path 302 may connect control circuitry 304 (andspecifically processing circuitry 306) to one or more communicationspaths (described below). I/O functions may be provided by one or more ofthese communications paths, but are shown as a single path in FIG. 3 toavoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Control circuitry 304 may be based on any suitable processing circuitrysuch as processing circuitry 306. As referred to herein, processingcircuitry should be understood to mean circuitry based on one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors,programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may includea multi-core processor (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or anysuitable number of cores) or supercomputer. In some embodiments,processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separateprocessors or processing units, for example, multiple of the same typeof processing units (e.g., two Intel Core i7 processors) or multipledifferent processors (e.g., an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel Corei7 processor). In some embodiments, control circuitry 304 executesinstructions for a media guidance application stored in memory (i.e.,storage 308). Specifically, control circuitry 304 may be instructed bythe media guidance application to perform the functions discussed aboveand below. For example, the media guidance application may provideinstructions to control circuitry 304 to generate the media guidancedisplays. In some implementations, any action performed by controlcircuitry 304 may be based on instructions received from the mediaguidance application.

In client-server based embodiments, control circuitry 304 may includecommunications circuitry suitable for communicating with a guidanceapplication server or other networks or servers. The instructions forcarrying out the above mentioned functionality may be stored on theguidance application server. Communications circuitry may include acable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, adigital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, Ethernet card,or a wireless modem for communications with other equipment, or anyother suitable communications circuitry. Such communications may involvethe Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths(which is described in more detail in connection with FIG. 4). Inaddition, communications circuitry may include circuitry that enablespeer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices, or communicationof user equipment devices in locations remote from each other (describedin more detail below).

Memory may be an electronic storage device provided as storage 308 thatis part of control circuitry 304. As referred to herein, the phrase“electronic storage device” or “storage device” should be understood tomean any device for storing electronic data, computer software, orfirmware, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, hard drives,optical drives, digital video disc (DVD) recorders, compact disc (CD)recorders, BLU-RAY disc (BD) recorders, BLU-RAY 3D disc recorders,digital video recorders (DVR, sometimes called a personal videorecorder, or PVR), solid state devices, quantum storage devices, gamingconsoles, gaming media, or any other suitable fixed or removable storagedevices, and/or any combination of the same. Storage 308 may be used tostore various types of content described herein as well as mediaguidance information, described above, and guidance application data,described above. Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch aboot-up routine and other instructions). Cloud-based storage, describedin relation to FIG. 4, may be used to supplement storage 308 or insteadof storage 308.

Control circuitry 304 may include video generating circuitry and tuningcircuitry, such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2decoders or other digital decoding circuitry, high-definition tuners, orany other suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of suchcircuits. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog,or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided.Control circuitry 304 may also include scaler circuitry for upconvertingand downconverting content into the preferred output format of the userequipment 300. Circuitry 304 may also include digital-to-analogconverter circuitry and analog-to-digital converter circuitry forconverting between digital and analog signals. The tuning and encodingcircuitry may be used by the user equipment device to receive and todisplay, to play, or to record content. The tuning and encodingcircuitry may also be used to receive guidance data. The circuitrydescribed herein, including for example, the tuning, video generating,encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, scaler, and analog/digitalcircuitry, may be implemented using software running on one or moregeneral purpose or specialized processors. Multiple tuners may beprovided to handle simultaneous tuning functions (e.g., watch and recordfunctions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions, multiple-tuner recording,etc.). If storage 308 is provided as a separate device from userequipment 300, the tuning and encoding circuitry (including multipletuners) may be associated with storage 308.

A user may send instructions to control circuitry 304 using user inputinterface 310. User input interface 310 may be any suitable userinterface, such as a remote control, mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard,touch screen, touchpad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognitioninterface, or other user input interfaces. Display 312 may be providedas a stand-alone device or integrated with other elements of userequipment device 300. Display 312 may be one or more of a monitor, atelevision, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for a mobile device, or anyother suitable equipment for displaying visual images. In someembodiments, display 312 may be HDTV-capable. In some embodiments,display 312 may be a 3D display, and the interactive media guidanceapplication and any suitable content may be displayed in 3D. A videocard or graphics card may generate the output to the display 312. Thevideo card may offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or theability to connect multiple monitors. The video card may be anyprocessing circuitry described above in relation to control circuitry304. The video card may be integrated with the control circuitry 304.Speakers 314 may be provided as integrated with other elements of userequipment device 300 or may be stand-alone units. The audio component ofvideos and other content displayed on display 312 may be played throughspeakers 314. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to areceiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via speakers314.

Control circuitry 304 may also instruct monitoring component 316.Monitoring component 316 may include one or more additionalsub-components (e.g., an EEG, EMG, etc.) for monitoring brain activityof a user. Monitoring component 316 may transmit updates (e.g.,associated with brain activity) of a user to control circuitry 304.Control circuitry 304 may compare the updates to data related to brainactivity (e.g., threshold ranges, frequency ranges, etc.) of the userand/or other users stored on storage 308 (e.g., to determine whether ornot the brain activity of the user corresponds to a particular thresholdrange and/or mood, attentiveness level, etc.).

It should be noted, monitoring component 316 may, in some embodiments,be located on a separate device in communication with the device uponwhich a media guidance application (and control circuitry 304) isimplemented. For example, in some embodiments, monitoring component 316may communication with device 300 via a communications network (e.g.,communications network 414 (FIG. 4)).

Control circuitry 304 may also instruct power management unit (PMU) 318to switch user equipment device 300 from a first power mode of operationto a second power mode of operation. Alternatively, PMU 318 may receiveinstructions to perform the switching directly over communicationsnetwork 414. For example, monitoring component 316 may send PMU 318 amessage telling it to switch user equipment device 300 from a firstpower mode to a second power mode.

As referred to herein, a first power mode may be a low power mode ofoperation. A first power mode may be understood to be a sleep mode, astandby mode, a power-off mode, a dormant mode, or a low-power mode. Alow-power mode may refer to a mode of operation wherein user equipmentdevice 300 has sufficient power to perform basic computation (e.g.,compute whether an update should be performed) using processingcircuitry 306 but insufficient power to perform more power-intensivetasks such as communicate with remote devices (e.g., media contentsource 416 (FIG. 4)) over communications network 414 (FIG. 4) and/orhave limited capability to identify brain activity. As referred toherein, a second power mode may be a high power mode of operation. Asecond power mode may be understood to be an awake mode, an active mode,a full-power mode, a high-power mode, or an update mode, where a deviceoperating at a second power mode has sufficient power to provide updateson brain activity of a user sufficient for determining a mood,attentiveness level, etc. A device operating at a second power mode mayconsume more power than when operating at a first power mode. In someembodiments, device 300 may operate at a third power mode, wherein thepower consumed at the third power mode is greater than that consumed atthe first power mode but less than that consumed at the second powermode. A third power mode may be an update mode, wherein device 300operates at enough power to perform updates but not at full-power modeto perform media guidance application operations. A third power mode mayalso refer to a low-power mode, as described above. All three modes ofoperation (e.g., first power mode, second power mode, third power mode)may be used interchangeably within the present disclosure.

Once user equipment device 300 is switched to a second power mode ofoperation, control circuitry 304 updates the media guidance applicationwith data from monitoring component 316 and stores the data in storage308. As referred to herein, switching refers to activating a componentof circuitry within user equipment device 300 that corresponds to adesired power mode of operation. Switching may be performed by PMU 318to switch user equipment device 300 from a first power mode to a secondpower mode. A first power mode may correspond to a first circuitrycomponent, and a second power mode may correspond to a second circuitrycomponent. As referred to herein, switching from a first power mode to asecond power mode involves deactivating the first circuitry componentand activating a second circuitry component.

PMU 318 monitors and manages the power consumption of user equipmentdevice 300. PMU 318 may be configured to monitor the current level ofpower consumption of user equipment device 300 based on devicecharacteristics such as, but are not limited to, battery usageinformation, screen brightness, screen saver settings, centralprocessing unit (CPU) power usage, graphic processing unit (GPU) powerusage, integrated processor power usage, number of applicationscurrently running on user equipment device 300, number and frequency ofrecordings scheduled to be performed on user equipment device 300, andthe current power mode of operation (e.g., first power mode, secondpower mode) in addition to brain activity. More specifically, PMU 318monitors the power state of user equipment device 300 to determine whendevice 300 switches from a first power mode to a second power mode. Insome embodiments, PMU 318 may reside on user equipment device 300 as acomponent of control circuitry 304. In other embodiments, PMU 318 may bea unit that is external to user equipment device 300. In these cases,PMU 318 may communicate with user equipment device 300 by sending andreceiving instructions from control circuitry 304.

PMU 318 may perform the switching in response to various conditions,based on instructions from control circuitry 304. In some embodiments,control circuitry 304 may receive an indication to switch user equipmentdevice 300 from a first power mode to a second power mode. For example,control circuitry 304 may receive a request from a user input interface310 or monitoring component 316 to perform the switching. In anotherexample, control circuitry 304 may receive over communications network414 (FIG. 4) via path 302 a message from a remote server indicating thatuser equipment device 300 should be switched to a second power mode ofoperation. In each of the aforementioned examples, control circuitry 304may instruct PMU 318 to switch user equipment device 300 to a secondpower mode of operation in response to the requests and messagesreceived. These messages and/or requests may include a time field whichindicates a future time at which control circuitry 304 should switchdevice 300 to a second power mode to receive updates over network 414(FIG. 4) and/or perform updates that are stored in storage 308. Thistime field may set a timer to switch user device 300 to a second powermode at a specified time. The time field may also set a timer to switchuser device 300 to a first power mode at a specified time period when noupdates will be sent to device 300.

The guidance application may be implemented using any suitablearchitecture. For example, it may be a stand-alone application whollyimplemented on user equipment device 300. In such an approach,instructions of the application are stored locally, and data for use bythe application is downloaded on a periodic basis (e.g., from anout-of-band feed, from an Internet resource, or using another suitableapproach). In some embodiments, the media guidance application is aclient-server based application. Data for use by a thick or thin clientimplemented on user equipment device 300 is retrieved on-demand byissuing requests to a server remote to the user equipment device 300. Inone example of a client-server based guidance application, controlcircuitry 304 runs a web browser that interprets web pages provided by aremote server.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application is downloaded andinterpreted or otherwise run by an interpreter or virtual machine (runby control circuitry 304). In some embodiments, the guidance applicationmay be encoded in the ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF), received bycontrol circuitry 304 as part of a suitable feed, and interpreted by auser agent running on control circuitry 304. For example, the guidanceapplication may be an EBIF application. In some embodiments, theguidance application may be defined by a series of JAVA-based files thatare received and run by a local virtual machine or other suitablemiddleware executed by control circuitry 304. In some of suchembodiments (e.g., those employing MPEG-2 or other digital mediaencoding schemes), the guidance application may be, for example, encodedand transmitted in an MPEG-2 object carousel with the MPEG audio andvideo packets of a program.

User equipment device 300 of FIG. 3 can be implemented in system 400 ofFIG. 4 as user television equipment 402, user computer equipment 404,wireless user communications device 406, or any other type of userequipment suitable for accessing content, such as a non-portable gamingmachine. For simplicity, these devices may be referred to hereincollectively as user equipment or user equipment devices, and may besubstantially similar to user equipment devices described above. Userequipment devices, on which a media guidance application may beimplemented, may function as a standalone device or may be part of anetwork of devices. Various network configurations of devices may beimplemented and are discussed in more detail below.

A user equipment device utilizing at least some of the system featuresdescribed above in connection with FIG. 3 may not be classified solelyas user television equipment 402, user computer equipment 404, or awireless user communications device 406. For example, user televisionequipment 402 may, like some user computer equipment 404, beInternet-enabled allowing for access to Internet content, while usercomputer equipment 404 may, like some television equipment 402, includea tuner allowing for access to television programming. The mediaguidance application may have the same layout on various different typesof user equipment or may be tailored to the display capabilities of theuser equipment. For example, on user computer equipment 404, theguidance application may be provided as a web site accessed by a webbrowser. In another example, the guidance application may be scaled downfor wireless user communications devices 406.

In system 400, there is typically more than one of each type of userequipment device but only one of each is shown in FIG. 4 to avoidovercomplicating the drawing. In addition, each user may utilize morethan one type of user equipment device and also more than one of eachtype of user equipment device.

In some embodiments, a user equipment device (e.g., user televisionequipment 402, user computer equipment 404, wireless user communicationsdevice 406) may be referred to as a “second screen device.” For example,a second screen device may supplement content presented on a first userequipment device. The content presented on the second screen device maybe any suitable content that supplements the content presented on thefirst device. In some embodiments, the second screen device provides aninterface for adjusting settings and display preferences of the firstdevice. In some embodiments, the second screen device is configured forinteracting with other second screen devices or for interacting with asocial network. The second screen device can be located in the same roomas the first device, a different room from the first device but in thesame house or building, or in a different building from the firstdevice.

The user may also set various settings to maintain consistent mediaguidance application settings across in-home devices and remote devices.Settings include those described herein, as well as channel and programfavorites, programming preferences that the guidance applicationutilizes to make programming recommendations, display preferences, andother desirable guidance settings. For example, if a user sets a channelas a favorite on, for example, the web site www.allrovi.com on theirpersonal computer at their office, the same channel would appear as afavorite on the user's in-home devices (e.g., user television equipmentand user computer equipment) as well as the user's mobile devices, ifdesired. Therefore, changes made on one user equipment device can changethe guidance experience on another user equipment device, regardless ofwhether they are the same or a different type of user equipment device.In addition, the changes made may be based on settings input by a user,as well as user activity monitored by the guidance application.

The user equipment devices may be coupled to communications network 414.Namely, user television equipment 402, user computer equipment 404, andwireless user communications device 406 are coupled to communicationsnetwork 414 via communications paths 408, 410, and 412, respectively.Communications network 414 may be one or more networks including theInternet, a mobile phone network, mobile voice or data network (e.g., a4G or LTE network), cable network, public switched telephone network, orother types of communications network or combinations of communicationsnetworks. Paths 408, 410, and 412 may separately or together include oneor more communications paths, such as, a satellite path, a fiber-opticpath, a cable path, a path that supports Internet communications (e.g.,IPTV), free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wirelesssignals), or any other suitable wired or wireless communications path orcombination of such paths. Path 412 is drawn with dotted lines toindicate that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 it is awireless path and paths 408 and 410 are drawn as solid lines to indicatethey are wired paths (although these paths may be wireless paths, ifdesired). Communications with the user equipment devices may be providedby one or more of these communications paths, but are shown as a singlepath in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Although communications paths are not drawn between user equipmentdevices, these devices may communicate directly with each other viacommunication paths, such as those described above in connection withpaths 408, 410, and 412, as well as other short-range point-to-pointcommunication paths, such as USB cables, IEEE 1394 cables, wirelesspaths (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, IEEE 802-11x, etc.), or othershort-range communication via wired or wireless paths. BLUETOOTH is acertification mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, INC. The user equipmentdevices may also communicate with each other directly through anindirect path via communications network 414.

System 400 includes content source 416 and media guidance data source418 coupled to communications network 414 via communication paths 420and 422, respectively. Paths 420 and 422 may include any of thecommunication paths described above in connection with paths 408, 410,and 412. Communications with the content source 416 and media guidancedata source 418 may be exchanged over one or more communications paths,but are shown as a single path in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating thedrawing. In addition, there may be more than one of each of contentsource 416 and media guidance data source 418, but only one of each isshown in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. (The differenttypes of each of these sources are discussed below.) If desired, contentsource 416 and media guidance data source 418 may be integrated as onesource device. Although communications between sources 416 and 418 withuser equipment devices 402, 404, and 406 are shown as throughcommunications network 414, in some embodiments, sources 416 and 418 maycommunicate directly with user equipment devices 402, 404, and 406 viacommunication paths (not shown) such as those described above inconnection with paths 408, 410, and 412.

Content source 416 may include one or more types of content distributionequipment including a television distribution facility, cable systemheadend, satellite distribution facility, programming sources (e.g.,television broadcasters, such as NBC, ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediatedistribution facilities and/or servers, Internet providers, on-demandmedia servers, and other content providers. NBC is a trademark owned bythe National Broadcasting Company, Inc., ABC is a trademark owned by theAmerican Broadcasting Company, Inc., and HBO is a trademark owned by theHome Box Office, Inc. Content source 416 may be the originator ofcontent (e.g., a television broadcaster, a Webcast provider, etc.) ormay not be the originator of content (e.g., an on-demand contentprovider, an Internet provider of content of broadcast programs fordownloading, etc.). Content source 416 may include cable sources,satellite providers, on-demand providers, Internet providers,over-the-top content providers, or other providers of content. Contentsource 416 may also include a remote media server used to storedifferent types of content (including video content selected by a user),in a location remote from any of the user equipment devices. Systems andmethods for remote storage of content, and providing remotely storedcontent to user equipment are discussed in greater detail in connectionwith Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,761,892, issued Jul. 20, 2010, whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Media guidance data source 418 may provide media guidance data, such asthe media guidance data described above. Media guidance application datamay be provided to the user equipment devices using any suitableapproach. In some embodiments, the guidance application may be astand-alone interactive television program guide that receives programguide data via a data feed (e.g., a continuous feed or trickle feed).Program schedule data and other guidance data may be provided to theuser equipment on a television channel sideband, using an in-banddigital signal, using an out-of-band digital signal, or by any othersuitable data transmission technique. Program schedule data and othermedia guidance data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analogor digital television channels.

In some embodiments, guidance data from media guidance data source 418may be provided to users' equipment using a client-server approach. Forexample, a user equipment device may pull media guidance data from aserver, or a server may push media guidance data to a user equipmentdevice. In some embodiments, a guidance application client residing onthe user's equipment may initiate sessions with source 418 to obtainguidance data when needed, e.g., when the guidance data is out of dateor when the user equipment device receives a request from the user toreceive data. Media guidance may be provided to the user equipment withany suitable frequency (e.g., continuously, daily, a user-specifiedperiod of time, a system-specified period of time, in response to arequest from user equipment, etc.). Media guidance data source 418 mayprovide user equipment devices 402, 404, and 406 the media guidanceapplication itself or software updates for the media guidanceapplication.

Media guidance applications may be, for example, stand-aloneapplications implemented on user equipment devices. For example, themedia guidance application may be implemented as software or a set ofexecutable instructions which may be stored in storage 308, and executedby control circuitry 304 of a user equipment device 300. In someembodiments, media guidance applications may be client-serverapplications where only a client application resides on the userequipment device, and server application resides on a remote server. Forexample, media guidance applications may be implemented partially as aclient application on control circuitry 304 of user equipment device 300and partially on a remote server as a server application (e.g., mediaguidance data source 418) running on control circuitry of the remoteserver. When executed by control circuitry of the remote server (such asmedia guidance data source 418), the media guidance application mayinstruct the control circuitry to generate the guidance applicationdisplays and transmit the generated displays to the user equipmentdevices. The server application may instruct the control circuitry ofthe media guidance data source 418 to transmit data for storage on theuser equipment. The client application may instruct control circuitry ofthe receiving user equipment to generate the guidance applicationdisplays.

Content and/or media guidance data delivered to user equipment devices402, 404, and 406 may be over-the-top (OTT) content. OTT contentdelivery allows Internet-enabled user devices, including any userequipment device described above, to receive content that is transferredover the Internet, including any content described above, in addition tocontent received over cable or satellite connections. OTT content isdelivered via an Internet connection provided by an Internet serviceprovider (ISP), but a third party distributes the content. The ISP maynot be responsible for the viewing abilities, copyrights, orredistribution of the content, and may only transfer IP packets providedby the OTT content provider. Examples of OTT content providers includeYOUTUBE, NETFLIX, and HULU, which provide audio and video via IPpackets. Youtube is a trademark owned by Google Inc., Netflix is atrademark owned by Netflix Inc., and Hulu is a trademark owned by Hulu,LLC. OTT content providers may additionally or alternatively providemedia guidance data described above. In addition to content and/or mediaguidance data, providers of OTT content can distribute media guidanceapplications (e.g., web-based applications or cloud-based applications),or the content can be displayed by media guidance applications stored onthe user equipment device.

Media guidance system 400 is intended to illustrate a number ofapproaches, or network configurations, by which user equipment devicesand sources of content and guidance data may communicate with each otherfor the purpose of accessing content and providing media guidance. Theembodiments described herein may be applied in any one or a subset ofthese approaches, or in a system employing other approaches fordelivering content and providing media guidance. The following fourapproaches provide specific illustrations of the generalized example ofFIG. 4.

In one approach, user equipment devices may communicate with each otherwithin a home network. User equipment devices can communicate with eachother directly via short-range point-to-point communication schemesdescribed above, via indirect paths through a hub or other similardevice provided on a home network, or via communications network 414.Each of the multiple individuals in a single home may operate differentuser equipment devices on the home network. As a result, it may bedesirable for various media guidance information or settings to becommunicated between the different user equipment devices. For example,it may be desirable for users to maintain consistent media guidanceapplication settings on different user equipment devices within a homenetwork, as described in greater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/179,410, filed Jul. 11, 2005. Different types ofuser equipment devices in a home network may also communicate with eachother to transmit content. For example, a user may transmit content fromuser computer equipment to a portable video player or portable musicplayer.

In a second approach, users may have multiple types of user equipment bywhich they access content and obtain media guidance. For example, someusers may have home networks that are accessed by in-home and mobiledevices. Users may control in-home devices via a media guidanceapplication implemented on a remote device. For example, users mayaccess an online media guidance application on a website via a personalcomputer at their office, or a mobile device such as a PDA orweb-enabled mobile telephone. The user may set various settings (e.g.,recordings, reminders, or other settings) on the online guidanceapplication to control the user's in-home equipment. The online guidemay control the user's equipment directly, or by communicating with amedia guidance application on the user's in-home equipment. Varioussystems and methods for user equipment devices communicating, where theuser equipment devices are in locations remote from each other, isdiscussed in, for example, Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,801, issuedOct. 25, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In a third approach, users of user equipment devices inside and outsidea home can use their media guidance application to communicate directlywith content source 416 to access content. Specifically, within a home,users of user television equipment 402 and user computer equipment 404may access the media guidance application to navigate among and locatedesirable content. Users may also access the media guidance applicationoutside of the home using wireless user communications devices 406 tonavigate among and locate desirable content.

In a fourth approach, user equipment devices may operate in a cloudcomputing environment to access cloud services. In a cloud computingenvironment, various types of computing services for content sharing,storage or distribution (e.g., video sharing sites or social networkingsites) are provided by a collection of network-accessible computing andstorage resources, referred to as “the cloud.” For example, the cloudcan include a collection of server computing devices, which may belocated centrally or at distributed locations that provide cloud-basedservices to various types of users and devices connected via a networksuch as the Internet via communications network 414. These cloudresources may include one or more content sources 416 and one or moremedia guidance data sources 418. In addition or in the alternative, theremote computing sites may include other user equipment devices, such asuser television equipment 402, user computer equipment 404, and wirelessuser communications device 406. For example, the other user equipmentdevices may provide access to a stored copy of a video or a streamedvideo. In such embodiments, user equipment devices may operate in apeer-to-peer manner without communicating with a central server.

The cloud provides access to services, such as content storage, contentsharing, or social networking services, among other examples, as well asaccess to any content described above, for user equipment devices.Services can be provided in the cloud through cloud computing serviceproviders, or through other providers of online services. For example,the cloud-based services can include a content storage service, acontent sharing site, a social networking site, or other services viawhich user-sourced content is distributed for viewing by others onconnected devices. These cloud-based services may allow a user equipmentdevice to store content to the cloud and to receive content from thecloud rather than storing content locally and accessing locally-storedcontent.

A user may use various content capture devices, such as camcorders,digital cameras with video mode, audio recorders, mobile phones, andhandheld computing devices, to record content. The user can uploadcontent to a content storage service on the cloud either directly, forexample, from user computer equipment 404 or wireless usercommunications device 406 having content capture feature. Alternatively,the user can first transfer the content to a user equipment device, suchas user computer equipment 404. The user equipment device storing thecontent uploads the content to the cloud using a data transmissionservice on communications network 414. In some embodiments, the userequipment device itself is a cloud resource, and other user equipmentdevices can access the content directly from the user equipment deviceon which the user stored the content.

Cloud resources may be accessed by a user equipment device using, forexample, a web browser, a media guidance application, a desktopapplication, a mobile application, and/or any combination of accessapplications of the same. The user equipment device may be a cloudclient that relies on cloud computing for application delivery, or theuser equipment device may have some functionality without access tocloud resources. For example, some applications running on the userequipment device may be cloud applications, i.e., applications deliveredas a service over the Internet, while other applications may be storedand run on the user equipment device. In some embodiments, a user devicemay receive content from multiple cloud resources simultaneously. Forexample, a user device can stream audio from one cloud resource whiledownloading content from a second cloud resource. Or a user device candownload content from multiple cloud resources for more efficientdownloading. In some embodiments, user equipment devices can use cloudresources for processing operations such as the processing operationsperformed by processing circuitry described in relation to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a representation of a user and regions of the brain of theuser associated with monitoring brain activity. For example, in someembodiments, the media guidance application may be implemented upon (orbe in communication with) a user device that monitors brain activity ofa user (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). The user devicemay reside upon the head of a user and include components (orsub-components) for testing different areas of the scalp of a user.

For example, the scalp of user 500 includes first portion 502, secondportion 504, third portion 506, and fourth portion 508. In someembodiments, each of first portion 502, second portion 504, thirdportion 506, and fourth portion 508 may correspond to a different regionof brain 510. For example, in some embodiments, first portion 502 maycorrespond to frontal lobe 512, second portion 504 may correspond toparietal lobe 514, third portion 506 may correspond to occipital lobe516, and fourth portion 508 may correspond to temporal lobe 518.

For example, in some embodiments, the media guidance application mayperform a media guidance application operation in response to brainactivity detected in a particular region of the brain of a user. Forexample, the media guidance application may monitor brain activity ofthe user in portion 502 (e.g., using monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3))and determine a first brain state associated with frontal lobe 512 ofthe monitored brain activity. The media guidance application may thencross-reference portion 502 with a database associated with functionsperformed by the user using regions of the brain to determine at leastone function the user is performing based on the brain activity of theuser in portion 502. For example, the cross-reference may reveal thatfrontal lobe 512 is associated with generating emotions and emotionalresponses in a user.

The media guidance application may then compare the first brain state toa threshold range for performing the at least one function, and inresponse to determining the first brain state does not correspond to thethreshold range, performing a media guidance operation associated withthe at least one function.

For example, the media guidance application may detect a state of thebrain activity associated with frontal lobe 512 of the user. In responseto determining that frontal lobe 512 is associated with emotions, themedia guidance application of may compare the current brain state of theuser to typical brain states (e.g., of the user or all users) associatedwith a particularly preferred emotion (e.g., happiness). In response todetermining that the brain state of the user does not correspond to thepreferred emotion (currently happy), the media guidance application mayreplace the media assets currently being consumed by the user with amedia asset with a higher likelihood of making the user happy.

In another example, the media guidance application may detect a state ofthe brain activity associated with various regions of the brain in orderto perform a function. For example, the media guidance application maydetect a state of the brain activity associated with occipital lobe 516(e.g., associated with vision) and parietal lobe 514 (e.g., associatedwith reading) of the user. In response to determining that the brainstate of the brain activity associated with occipital lobe 516 (e.g.,associated with vision) and parietal lobe 514 (e.g., associated withreading) of the user does not correspond to the typical brain state of auser, while temporal lobe 518 (e.g., associated with hearing) doescorrespond to the typical brain state of the user, the media guidanceapplication may modify the media assets, display settings, etc. suchthat text or important events are communicated to the user via verbalmeans (e.g., audio announcements).

FIG. 6 shows multiple user devices that may be associated withmonitoring brain activity. For example, a user device (e.g., upon whicha media guidance application is implemented and/or which a mediaguidance application is in communication with) may be fashioned as aform of headwear.

For example, user device 600 is fashioned as a headset, user device 630is fashioned as a hat/helmet, and user device 660 is fashioned as eyeglasses. It should be noted that a user device configured to monitorbrain activity as described herein may be fashioned as any headwear.Furthermore, in some embodiments, a user device may not be fashioned asheadwear, but instead may be configured as any device capable ofmonitoring brain activity of a user. For example, any device which mayincorporate and/or have access to an EEG, EMG, and/or other means formonitoring brain activity described herein may constitute a user device.

In some embodiments, user devices 600, 630, and 660 may further includeadditional sub-components (e.g., sub-components of monitoring component316 (FIG. 3)), which may monitor brain activity on one or more regionsof the brain. Sub-components may include electrodes or other featuresthat may attach to the various portions (e.g., portions 502, 504, 506,and 508 (FIG. 5)) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). Furthermore, insome embodiments, sub-components may extend and/or retract duringvarious modes of the user device in order to accommodate the comfort ofthe user.

In some embodiments, user devices 600, 630, and 660 may bebattery-powered in order to provide a user with additional mobility.Furthermore, user devices 600, 630, and 660 include multiple modes, eachcorresponding to different power consumption levels and/or sensitivitylevels.

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in generating amedia asset for display to a user, in which the media asset isassociated with inducing a particular brain state. It should be notedthat process 700 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, or providedby, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response to brainactivity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process 700may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process700 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g., as described in FIGS. 8-18).

At step 702, the media guidance application monitors the brain activityof a user. For example, the media guidance application (e.g.,implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., frommonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity(e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brainand/or electrical activity of muscles near the brain at rest and duringcontraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or suitabledevice for monitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-componentof monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may periodically poll the brain activity of a user (e.g., ona predetermined schedule and/or in response to a user input, (i.e.,selecting selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may trigger (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) various modes for monitoring brainactivity, in which each mode is associated with a different powerconsumption level and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed belowwith regard to FIGS. 15-16). For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes ofa monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)) in order to extend the life ofan energy storage device or limit the exposure of a user (e.g., user 500(FIG. 5) to activities of the monitoring component.

At step 704, the media guidance application determines a first brainstate based on the brain activity, in which the first brain statecorresponds to the mood of a user. For example, the media guidanceapplication may receive data from a monitoring component (e.g.,monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) incorporated into and/or incommunication with (e.g., via communications network 414 (FIG. 4) a userdevice (e.g., user device 300 (FIG. 3) and/or user equipment device 402,404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) upon which the media guidance application isimplemented. The media guidance application may (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) process that data to determine a brain statethat corresponds with the retrieved data. For example, the receivingdata may correspond to a particular frequency range and/or electricalactivity of the muscles near a particular region (e.g., frontal lobe 512(FIG. 5)) of a brain (e.g., brain 510 (FIG. 5)) of the user.

The media guidance application may then cross-reference the frequencyrange of the brain activity of the user with a database stored locallyon storage 308 (FIG. 3) or stored remotely at media guidance data source418 (FIG. 4), and/or any location accessible via communications network414 (FIG. 4)) associated with frequencies of brain states andcorresponding moods to determine the first mood and/or cross-referencethe electrical activity of the muscles near the brain of the user with adatabase (e.g., stored locally on storage 308 (FIG. 3) or storedremotely at media guidance data source 418 (FIG. 4), and/or any locationaccessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4)) associated withelectrical activity of brain states and corresponding moods to determinethe a current mood of the user.

For example, the particular frequency range of the brain activity of auser may correspond to a particular mood (e.g., sadness). Thiscorrespondence may be recorded in a database, which records the variousfrequency ranges of different moods of the user and/or all users. Todetermine the correspondence, the media guidance application may inputthe determined frequency range of the brain activity of the user intothe database. The database may then identify all available moods thatcorrespond to the determined frequency range. For example, a brain statehas a frequency of 4 to 8 Hz, the database may identify moods (e.g.,happiness), corresponding to a frequency of 4 to 8 Hz. The database maythen output the results, which indicate an identified mood thatcorresponds to the current frequency range of the brain activity of theuser.

At step 706, the media guidance application selects a second brainstate, in which the second brain state corresponds to a second mood ofthe user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may select the second brain state basedon a current time, a user input, a current activity, or a preferredbiorhythmic pattern associated with the user.

For example, the media guidance application may receive instructionsfrom the user (e.g., entered via user input interface 310 (FIG. 3))indicating that the user wishes to be in a particular mood (e.g.,happy). Additionally or alternatively, the media guidance activity mayretrieve a schedule (e.g., from storage 308 (FIG. 3)), which indicatesthat every evening at six o'clock PM, the user wishes to be in a happymood.

In another example, the media guidance application may receiveinstructions from the user (e.g., via user input interface 310 (FIG. 3))indicating that the user wishes to follow a particular schedule forhis/her biorhythmic activity (e.g., the user wishes to maintain atherapeutic gradual increase and decrease in brain activity, frequencybands, etc.).

At step 708, the media guidance application compares the first brainstate to the second brain state. In order to compare the different brainstates, the media guidance application may retrieve quantitativemeasurements associated with each brain state. For example, in someembodiments, each brain state is associated with a particular frequencyrange, electrical activity, and/or threshold range. These quantitativemeasurements may be compared (e.g., using processing circuitry 306 (FIG.3)) by the media guidance application to determine whether or not thetwo measurements match (e.g., within a particular degree of deviation).For example, the media guidance application may determine (e.g., viaprocessing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) whether the two measurements sharethe same frequency bands.

At step 710, in response to determining the first brain state does notcorrespond to the second brain state, the media guidance applicationgenerates a display of a media asset to the user, in which the mediaasset is associated with inducing the second brain state. For example,in response to determining (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3))that the two quantitative measurements of brain activity do not match,the media guidance application may instruct (e.g., via control circuitry304 (FIG. 3)) generate a display of a media asset associated with thesecond brain state. For example, in response to receiving instructionsfor a preferred mood (e.g., the second brain state), the media guidanceapplication may ensure the user achieves that preferred mood bygenerating a display of a media asset that is associated with thepreferred mood.

The media guidance application may (e.g., via processing circuitry 306(FIG. 3)) process the second brain state to determine a correspondingmedia asset. For example, the media guidance application maycross-reference the second brain state with a database (e.g., storedlocally on storage 308 (FIG. 3) or stored remotely at media guidancedata source 418 (FIG. 4), and/or any location accessible viacommunications network 414 (FIG. 4)) associated with media assetscorresponding to moods of a user to determine a media asset or acategory of media assets associated with a particular mood. For example,the database may include data associated with each media assetindicating the particular mood or brain state that the media asset isassociated with. Additionally or alternatively, a database may indicateevery media asset associated with a particular mood or brain state. Inorder to select a particular media asset, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may identify the availablemedia assets that corresponds to the second brain state.

In some embodiments, the information in the database may be generated bya third party. For example, the media guidance application may receivedata associated with a media asset from a remote source (e.g., mediacontent source 416 (FIG. 4)) that indicates the mood associated with themedia asst. Additionally or alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may track (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) theparticular mood (e.g., as determined by data receiving from monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3)) that a user was in when the user viewed one ormore previous showings of the media asset. The media guidanceapplication may then associate that media asset with the particularmood.

After selecting the media asset, the media guidance application (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) may transmit instructions to adisplay device (e.g., user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG.4) and/or any display (e.g., display 312 (FIG. 3)) associated with theuser device upon which the media guidance application is implementedand/or associated with to display the selected media asset (e.g., aninspiration message, preferred movie, etc.). The media guidanceapplication may then monitor (e.g., using monitoring component 316 (FIG.3)) the brain activity of the user to ensure that the second brain stateis achieved. In response to determining that the second brain state isnot achieved, the media guidance application may generate a display of adifferent media asset.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 7 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 7 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in selecting amedia asset associated with inducing a particular brain state. It shouldbe noted that process 800 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, orprovided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response tobrain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process800 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process800 may be incorporated into, or combined with, one or more steps of anyother process (e.g., as described in FIGS. 7 and 9-18).

At step 802, the media guidance application selects a preferred brainstate. The preferred state may be in response to a user selection (e.g.,of one of selectable options 202 (FIG. 2)) indicating a particular moodthe user would prefer to have. Additionally or alternatively, the mediaguidance application may receive instructions from the user (e.g., viauser input interface 310 (FIG. 3)) indicating that the user wishes tohave a particular scheduled brain state, or the media guidanceapplication may receive (e.g., via I/O path 302 (FIG. 3)) a recommendedbrain state from a remote location (e.g., media content source 416,media guidance data source 418, and/or any location accessible viacommunications network 414 (FIG. 4)).

For example, the media guidance application may receive a user inputindicating that the user wishes to be happy (or have a brain statecorresponding to a brain state associated with happiness). In responsethe media guidance application may generate a display of media assetthat may cause the user to become happy. Additionally or alternatively,the media guidance application may detect that a user is happy. Inresponse the media guidance application may generate a display of mediaassets that are associated with happiness of the user. For example, inresponse to determining that a user is in a carefree mood (or has abrain state associated with carefreeness), the media guidanceapplication may generate a display of comedies (or any other media assetassociated with carefreeness). In contrast, in response to determiningthat a user is in a serious mood (or has a brain state associated withseriousness), the media guidance application may generate a display ofdocumentaries (or any other media asset associated with seriousness).

At step 804, the media guidance application initiates monitoring ofbrain activity of a user. For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may instruct a user device(e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) to switch from a firstmode associated with a first power consumption and/or sensitivity levelto a second mode associated with a second power consumption and/orsensitivity level. For example, a first mode may be associated with a“stand-by” or “sleep” mode and may not include active monitoring ofbrain activity of a user. A second mode (e.g., an “active” mode) mayinclude active monitoring of brain activity.

At step 806, the media guidance application determines whether or not tomonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG. For example, the userdevice (e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) may include oneor more monitoring components (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3))or monitoring sub-components, which may include an EEG. If the mediaguidance application determines to monitor the brain activity of a userusing an EEG, the media guidance application proceeds to step 808,determines a measurement of a frequency range of the brain activity of auser of one or more regions of the brain of a user, and then proceeds tostep 816. If the media guidance application determines not to use an EEG(e.g., an EEG is not included in the monitoring component associatedwith the media guidance application), the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 810.

At step 810, the media guidance application determines whether or not tomonitor the brain activity of a user using an EMG. For example, the userdevice (e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) may include oneor more monitoring components (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3))or monitoring sub-components, which may include an EMG. If the mediaguidance application determines to monitor the brain activity of a userusing an EMG, the media guidance application proceeds to step 812,determines a measurement of electrical activity of a user of one or moreregions of the brain of a user, and then proceeds to step 816. If themedia guidance application determines not to use an EMG (e.g., an EMG isnot included in the monitoring component associated with the mediaguidance application), the media guidance application proceeds to step812.

At step 814, the media guidance application determines whether or not tomonitor the brain activity of a user using a default measuringtechnique. For example, the use device (e.g., user device 600, 630,and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) may include one or more monitoring components(e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) or monitoring sub-components,which may be configured for functional magnetic resonance imaging(“fMRI”), which tracks brain activity by monitoring the levels ofoxygenated blood that travel to active neurons, a positron emissiontomography scan (“PET scan”), which tracks neurons' use of glucose inresponse to a stimulus, or any other suitable technique. If the mediaguidance application determines to monitor the brain activity of a userusing a default measuring technique, the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 816 and determines a measurement of the brain activityof a user of one or more regions of the brain of a user using thetechnique, and proceeds to step 816. It should be noted that, in someembodiments, the media guidance application may obtain one or more ofthe measurements using one or more techniques for monitoring brainactivity.

At step 816, the media guidance application determines whether or notthe measurement corresponds to measurement associated with preferredbrain state. For example, in some embodiments, step 816 may correspondto step 708 (FIG. 7)). For example, in some embodiments, each brainstate is associated with a particular frequency range, electricalactivity, and/or threshold range. These quantitative measurements may becompared (e.g., using processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) by the mediaguidance application to determine whether or not the two measurementsmatch (e.g., within a particular degree of deviation). For example, themedia guidance application may determine (e.g., via processing circuitry306 (FIG. 3)) whether the two measurements share the same frequencybands.

If the media guidance application determines (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) that the measurements do correspond, the mediaguidance application returns to step 804. If the media guidanceapplication determines (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3))that the measurements do not correspond (e.g., the current brain stateof the user is different than a preferred brain state of the user) themedia guidance application proceeds to step 818.

At step 818, the media guidance application may (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) cross-reference the preferred brain state with adatabase of previous brain states of the user. For example, the mediaguidance application may search for a media asset (e.g., a movie,television program, video clip, textual message) that a user waswatching when the user achieved the preferred brain state. For example,if the preferred brain state is happy, the media guidance applicationmay search (e.g., via control circuitry 3 (FIG. 3)), for a media assetthat previously made, or was previously viewed while, a user was happy(e.g., a humorous video clip).

In some embodiments, the database may be stored locally on storage 308(FIG. 3) or stored remotely at media guidance data source 418 (FIG. 4)and/or any location accessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4).Additionally or alternatively, the information in the database may begenerated by a third party. For example, the media guidance applicationmay receive data associated with a media asset from a remote source(e.g., media content source 416 (FIG. 4)) that indicates a moodassociated with a media asset.

At step 820, the media guidance application receives an output of amedia asset and/or a media asset category that the user was consumingduring a previous brain state matching the preferred brain state. Forexample, if a movie of an Action genre previously made a user happy(e.g., the preferred brain state), the media guidance application mayreceive (e.g., via I/O path 302 (FIG. 3)) an output of an Action movie.

At step 822, the media guidance application presents a media asset fromthe outputted media asset category. For example, the media guidanceapplication may generate a display (e.g., via instructions transmittedfrom control circuitry 304 FIG. 3)) of the outputted media asset on adisplay device (e.g., user equipment 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)).After generating a display of the media asset from the outputtedcategory, the media guidance application returns to step 804.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 8 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 8 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in generating anicon associated with the brain activity of a user. It should be notedthat process 900 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, or providedby, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response to brainactivity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process 900may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process900 may be incorporated into, or combined with, one or more steps of anyother process (e.g., as described in FIGS. 7-8 and 10-18).

At step 902, the media guidance application monitors brain activity of auser for a first state in which the first state is associated withperforming a first operation of a media guidance application. Forexample, in some embodiments, the media guidance application may performvarious media guidance application operations based on a user achieving(or varying from) a particular brain state.

For example, the media guidance application (e.g., implemented on userdevice 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., from monitoring component316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity (e.g., the currentfrequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain and/or electricalactivity of muscles near the brain at rest and during contraction) of auser (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5))).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or suitabledevice for monitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-componentof monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may periodically poll the brain activity of a user (e.g., ona predetermined schedule and/or in response to a user input (e.g.,selecting selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may trigger (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) various modes for monitoring brainactivity, in which each mode is associated with a different powerconsumption level and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed belowwith regard to FIGS. 15-16). For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes ofa monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)) in order to extend the life ofan energy storage device or limit the exposure of a user (e.g., user 500(FIG. 5) to activities of the monitoring component. In some embodiments,the power consumption and/or sensitivity level may be associated withbeing monitored for a particular brain state. For example, if monitoringof the particular brain state requires a higher degree of sensitivity,the media guidance application (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG.3)) may instruct PMU 318 (FIG. 3) to switch to a mode corresponding to ahigher level of sensitivity.

At step 904, the media guidance application generates for display anicon on a display screen, in which the icon provides feedback to theuser related to achieving the first brain state. For example, as shownand described in FIGS. 1B-C, the media guidance application (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may transmit instructions to generate aicon (e.g., icon 134, which may include graphical representations (e.g.,graphical representation 132 (FIG. 1B)) and/or textual elements (e.g.,textual element 138 (FIG. 1B)).

In some embodiments, an icon (e.g., icon 134 (FIG. 1B)) generated by amedia guidance application (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 4)) ona display (e.g., display 312 (FIG. 3) on a user device (e.g., userequipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) may indicate the statusof a first brain state and/or the progress of a user towards achieving afirst brain state. Additionally or alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may generate an icon (e.g., icon 134 (FIG. 1B) that includesinstructions for achieving the first brain state and/or media guidanceapplication operations that are associated with achieving (or notachieving) the first brain state.

At step 906, the media guidance application, in response to detecting achange in the brain activity of the user, adjusts the icon on thedisplay screen to reflect the change in the brain activity. For example,as the media guidance application continuously, in response to userinputs, or periodically based on a predetermined schedule monitors thebrain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or suitable device formonitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-component ofmonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)), the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may modify the generated icon(e.g., icon 134 (FIG. 1B)) to reflect the monitored brain activity.Accordingly, as a user's progress towards or away from a particularbrain state (e.g., associated with a particular mood, attentivenesslevel, etc.) changes, the media guidance application present feedback tothe user regarding the change.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 9 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 9 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in updating anicon associated with the brain activity of a user. It should be notedthat process 1000 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, orprovided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response tobrain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process1000 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevices 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1000 may be incorporated into, or combined with, one or more steps ofany other process (e.g., as described in FIGS. 7-9 and 11-18).

At step 1002, the media guidance application receives an instruction toinitiate monitoring of brain activity. For example, the media guidanceapplication may receive a user input (e.g., via user input interface 310(FIG. 3)) requesting the media guidance application to switch from afirst mode (e.g., associated with limited brain activity monitoringand/or media guidance application operations) to a second more (e.g.,associated with expansive brain activity monitoring and/or mediaguidance application operations).

At step 1004, the media guidance application selects a media guidanceapplication operation to perform. For example, the media guidanceapplication may be configured to perform one or more media guidanceapplication operations while a user accesses media guidance (e.g., asshown and described in relation to FIGS. 1A-C). The media guidanceapplication may select (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) amedia guidance application operation to perform. It should be noted, insome embodiments, the media guidance application may be configured tomonitor for and/or perform multiple media guidance applicationoperations simultaneously. However, for simplicity, only the performanceof a single media guidance application operation will be discussed.

At step 1006, the media guidance application selects a brain statecorresponding to performance of the media guidance applicationoperation. For example, the media guidance application may retrieve(e.g., from storage 308 (FIG. 3)) a list of all media guidanceapplication operations that the media guidance application is configuredto perform. For each of those operations, the media guidance applicationmay also retrieve a brain state, which, if detected (e.g., viamonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)), will cause the media guidanceapplication to perform a particular media guidance applicationoperation.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may allow a user tocustomize the particular brain state that may trigger a particular mediaguidance application operation. Furthermore, the media guidanceapplication may allow a user to calibrate brain state determination to aparticular user and/or define the amount of time a user is given toachieve a particular brain state and well as the length of time a brainstate must be maintained in order to perform a particular media guidanceapplication operation. Any customization of a media guidance applicationmay be stored (e.g., locally on storage 308 FIG. 3) or remotely on atany location accessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4)) in auser profile associated with a user that is retrieve when a user activea user device (e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)).

For example, a first media guidance application operation (e.g., abrowse command) may be triggered in response to detecting that theattentiveness level of a user is below a threshold attentiveness level.A second media guidance application operation (e.g., selecting acurrently highlighted media listing) may be triggered in response todetermining the attentiveness level of a user is above a thresholdattentiveness level. In another example, a third media guidanceapplication operation (e.g., generating a display of an action movie)may be triggered in response to detecting that a user is in a particularmood. A fourth media guidance application operation (e.g., generating adisplay of a horror movie) may be triggered in response to determiningthe user is in a different mood.

At step 1008, the media guidance application determines whether or notto generate a graphical representation of progress of a user inachieving a brain state. For example, the media guidance application maydetermine (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) whether or notto generate a display of a graphical representation (e.g., graphicalrepresentation 132 (FIG. 1B)) that indicates a user's progress inachieving a particular brain state, indicates a particular mediaguidance application operation that may be performed based on a userachieving a particular brain state, indicates how a user may achieve aparticular brain state, and/or any other information associated with themedia guidance application.

The media guidance application may generate any type of graphicalrepresentation. For example, the graphical representation may includeany one or more animations, video clips, questionnaires, and/or anyother graphical property used to convey information to a user. The dataused to generate a graphical representation may be stored in a local(e.g., at storage 308 (FIG. 3)) or remote (e.g., as media content source416, media guidance data source 418, and/or any location accessible viacommunications network 414 (FIG. 4)) location.

If the media guidance application determines not to generate a graphicalrepresentation, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1012. Ifthe media guidance application determines to generate a graphicalrepresentation of the progress of a user to achieving the brain state,the media guidance application proceeds to step 1010 and selects agraphical representation corresponding to the brain state and the mediaguidance operation to be performed and then proceeds to step 1012. Toselect the graphical representation, the media guidance application maycross-reference the brain state and the media guidance operation to beperformed in a database associated with various graphicalrepresentations. The database may be structured as a lookup table inwhich inputting the brain state and the media guidance operation to beperformed may result in a graphical representation associated with theinput being outputted.

At step 1012, the media guidance application determines whether or notto generate a textual element related to the progress of a user inachieving a brain state. For example, the media guidance application maydetermine (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) whether or notto generate a display of a textual element (e.g., textual element 138(FIG. 1B)) that relates to a user's progress in achieving a particularbrain state, relates to a particular media guidance applicationoperation that may be performed based on a user achieving a particularbrain state, relates to how a user may achieve a particular brain state,and/or any other information associated with the media guidanceapplication.

The media guidance application may generate any type of textual element.For example, a textual element may include any one or more font,character size, motion or animation, color, and/or any other graphicalproperty used to convey information to a user as well as any content,including names, phrases, punctuation, etc. The data used to generate atextual element may be stored in local (e.g., at storage 308 (FIG. 3))or remote (e.g., as media content source 416, media guidance data source418, and/or any location accessible via communications network 414 (FIG.4)).

If the media guidance application determines not to generate a textualelement, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1012. If themedia guidance application determines to generate a textual element, themedia guidance application proceeds to step 1014 and selects a textualelement corresponding to the brain state and media guidance operation tobe performed and then proceeds to step 1012. To select the textualelement, the media guidance application may cross-reference the brainstate and the media guidance operation to be performed in a databaseassociated with various textual elements. The database may be structuredas a lookup table in which inputting the brain state and the mediaguidance operation to be performed may result in a textual elementassociated with the input being outputted.

At step 1016, the media guidance application generates an icon fordisplay to the user incorporating the graphical representation and/ortextual element (if any) selected. For example, the media guidanceapplication may (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) generate anicon (e.g., icon 134 (FIG. 1B)) associated with a brain state, progresstowards achieving a brain state, media guidance application operation tobe performed, and/or any other information for display to a user (e.g.,on display 312 (FIG. 3)).

The media guidance application may generate the icon (e.g., icon 134(FIG. 1B)) as an overlay on a display (e.g., display 200 (FIG. 2))generated by the media guidance application. Additionally oralternatively, the icon may appear in a separate window, on a separateuser equipment device, in various shapes and sizes, and/or with variouslevels of transparency.

At step 1018, the media guidance application monitors the brain activityof the user. For example, the media guidance application (e.g.,implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., frommonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity(e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brainand/or electrical activity of muscles near the brain at rest and duringcontraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5))).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or suitabledevice for monitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-componentof monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may periodically poll the brain activity of a user (e.g., ona predetermined schedule and/or in response to a user input (e.g.,selecting selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may trigger (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) various modes for monitoring brainactivity, in which each mode is associated with a different powerconsumption level and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed belowwith regard to FIGS. 15-16). For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes ofa monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)) in order to extend the life ofan energy storage device or limit the exposure of a user (e.g., user 500(FIG. 5) to activities of the monitoring component.

At step 1020, the media guidance application determines whether or notthe brain activity of a user corresponds to the brain state. Forexample, the media guidance application may (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) determine whether or not a frequency rangeassociated with the brain state corresponds to the frequency rangeassociated with the current brain state of the user. To determine thefrequency range associated with the brain state, the media guidanceapplication may cross-reference a database (e.g., at storage 308 (FIG.3), media guidance data source 418 (FIG. 4), and/or any other locationaccessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4)) associated withfrequency ranges for various brain states.

If the media guidance application determines (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) that the brain activity of the user correspondsto the brain state, the media guidance application (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) performs the media guidance applicationoperation at step 1022. If the media guidance application determines(e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) that the brain activity ofthe user does not correspond to the brain state, the media guidanceapplication (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) proceeds to step1024.

At step 1024, the media guidance application determines (e.g., viamonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) whether or not a change in the brainactivity of the user is detected. If so, the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 1026 and updates the icon before returning to step1018. If no change is detected, the media guidance application maintainsthe icon and returns to step 1018.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 10 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 10 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved performing anoperation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user. Itshould be noted that process 1100 or any step thereof, could bedisplayed on, or provided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and6 in response to brain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). Forexample, process 1100 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)on user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which maybe configured as headwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed bythe media guidance application while a user is consuming media content(e.g., displayed on display 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B),display 150 (FIG. 1C), and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one ormore steps of process 1100 may be incorporated into or combined with oneor more steps of any other process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-10 and12-18).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) perform one or more media guidanceapplication and/or brain activity operations in response to detectingparticular brain activity and/or determining a user has achieved aparticular brain state. For example, in response to detecting a firsttype of brain activity, the media guidance application may monitor for asecond type of brain activity. Process 1100 relates to determining theattentiveness level of a user and performing a browse operation inresponse to detecting a low attentiveness level of a user. It should benoted however that process 1100 may be equally applied to any brainactivities and/or any media guidance application operation.

At step 1102, the media guidance application detects a first eye blinkpattern of a user. In some embodiments, the media guidance applicationmay be configured to detect particular eye blink patterns whilemonitoring the brain activity of a user. For example, the media guidanceapplication (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) may monitoralpha bands (e.g., typically associated with eye blinking) in the globuspallidus of the basal ganglia (e.g., the area of the brain typicallyassociated with controlling eye blinking) of a user (e.g., user 500(FIG. 5)) in order to detect an eye blink pattern.

At step 1104, the media guidance application may in response todetecting the eye blink pattern, monitor brain activity associated withan attentiveness level of the user. For example, in response todetecting a first type of brain activity (e.g., an eye blink pattern),the media guidance application initiates the monitoring (e.g., viamonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) of a second type of brain activity ofa user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). In this example, in response todetecting the first eye blink pattern, the media guidance applicationmonitors the brain activity associated with the attentiveness of a user.

For example, as described in relation to FIG. 2, the media guidanceapplication may (e.g., control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) generate adisplay of a media asset and/or media guidance data (e.g., as shown indisplay 200 (FIG. 2)) on a display screen (e.g., associated with userdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) in which a user may navigatethrough various media guidance application operations using a first typeof brain activity (e.g., associated with the first eye blink pattern).Upon detecting a second eye blink pattern, the media guidanceapplication may (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) select amedia guidance application operation to perform as well as a brainactivity that may trigger the selected media guidance applicationoperation. Following the selection, the media guidance application(e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) monitors for a differenttype of brain activity. In process 1100, the media guidance application(e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) monitors for brainactivity associated with the attentiveness of a user.

For example, the media guidance application (e.g., implemented on userdevice 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., from monitoring component316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity (e.g., the currentfrequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain and/or electricalactivity of muscles near the brain at rest and during contraction) of auser (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5))) in the region of the brain (e.g.,portion 502, 504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) associated withattentiveness of a user.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may also transmit(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) an instruction to switch to aparticular mode associated with monitoring for brain activity associatedwith an attentiveness level of a user. For example, a user device (e.g.,user device 600, 630, and/or 660 may have a particular power consumptionlevel and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed below with regard toFIGS. 15-16) associated with monitoring for an attentiveness level of auser.

At step 1106, the media guidance application may cross-reference thebrain activity of the user with a database associated with attentivenesslevels of brain states to determine an attentiveness level of the user.For example, the media guidance application may (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) input the frequency range of brain activity of auser, the electrical activity of muscles near brain of the user at restand during contraction, etc. into a database (e.g., stored locally ofstorage 308 (FIG. 3) or stored remotely at any location accessible viacommunications network 414 (FIG. 4)) and receive a description of theattentiveness of the user.

At step 1108, the media guidance application compares the attentivenesslevel of the user to a threshold attentiveness level. For example, themedia guidance application may receive the attentiveness level of theuser in the same unit of measure as a threshold attentiveness level. Insome embodiments, a threshold attentiveness level may be retrieved fromlocal storage (e.g., storage 308 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, a thresholdattentiveness level may be received (e.g., via I/O path 302 (FIG. 3))from a remote location (e.g., any location accessible via communicationsnetwork 414 (FIG. 4)). Additionally, the threshold attentiveness levelmay also be customized based on a user. For example, some users maynormally have higher or lower attentiveness levels when consuming media.

The media guidance application may then (e.g., via processing circuitry306 (FIG. 3)) determine whether or not the attentiveness level of theuser corresponds to the threshold attentiveness level at step 1110. Atstep 1110, the media guidance application, in response to determiningthe attentiveness level of the user does not correspond to the thresholdattentiveness level, performs an operation associated with a lowattentiveness level. For example, if the media guidance applicationdetermines that a user is not currently paying attention to a mediaasset displayed on a display device (e.g., user equipment device 402,404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)), the media guidance application may (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) perform a browse function (e.g., scrollfrom one media object generated for display in a media guide to anothermedia object generated for display in a media guide).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application operation associatedwith brain states may be determined based on instructions received fromstorage 308 (FIG. 3). Alternatively or additionally, the media guidanceapplication (e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receiveinstructions for a particular media guidance application operation toperform based on particular brain activity from remote sources (e.g.,any location accessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4). Themedia guidance application may also receive user input (e.g., via userinput interface 310 (FIG. 3)) customizing the media guidance applicationoperation performed.

In some embodiments, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may be coupled toan Infrared (IR) Blaster or Emitter (e.g., incorporated in and/oraccessible to control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)). A person may tune to achannel using a media guidance application that operates based on theoutput of monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3). For example, the mediaguidance application may receive output from monitoring component 316(FIG. 3) indicating EEG measurements for “attention” and “blink”. Usingthat information, the media guidance application may change channelsand/or select content in the media guidance application.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may utilize a blinkdetection output from monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) to initiate agrid display. For example, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may outputa blink detection of the user which may instruct the media guidanceapplication to launch a grid display (e.g., display 100 (FIG. 1A),display 200 (FIG. 2), etc.). Based on data received from monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3), the media guidance application (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may transmit a series of IR commands orwireless commands in response to detecting a blink instructing the mediaguidance application to display a list of favorite channels or a grid(e.g., grid 102 matching a user's preferences).

It should be noted, although grid navigation is discussed below, anyother type of user interface or media guidance display may be navigatedto select content in a similar way. For example, an online website orapplication on a mobile device may present media listings in a similarmanner as the media guidance display shown in display 100 (FIG. 1A),display 200 (FIG. 2), etc. The media guidance display may be navigatedup/down/left/right to identify content for selection in a similar way asdiscussed below.

The media guidance application (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG.3)) may transmit an “Arrow Down” command at a rate of about one commandper second until monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) detects another“blink” from the user. Specifically, the grid shown in display 100 (FIG.1A), display 200 (FIG. 2), etc. may be scrolled left/right/up/down at aconstant rate automatically until the user blinks a second time. Forexample, when the user blinks the first time, the media guidanceapplication may be instructed to launch a grid. Until a subsequent blinkis detected (e.g., a second time the user blinks), the grid that isdisplayed may be scrolled to display additional content sources (e.g.,channels) using the down arrow 120 (FIG. 1A) automatically at a constantrate of one content source per second. Alternatively, until a subsequentblink is detected (e.g., a second time the user blinks), the grid thatis displayed may be scrolled to display later/earlier using the rightarrow 120 automatically at a constant rate of thirty minute intervalsper second.

In some embodiments, after the second blink is detected or after anothermental/physical condition is detected by monitoring component 316 (FIG.3), attention of the user is monitored. In some implementations,monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may wait a threshold period of time(e.g., five seconds) for the attention level to increase. For example,after the grid is scrolled to a specific position (e.g., time andcontent source list), monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may measure anattention level of the user by analyzing brain wave frequencies.Monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may compare the brain state before thesecond blink and/or other mental/physical condition was detected and thebrain state after the second blink and/or other mental/physicalcondition was detected.

Specifically, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may compare the previousbrain states (e.g., those occurring while the grid was being scrolled)to those occurring after the grid has stopped scrolling. If the brainstate has changed beyond a threshold range, monitoring component 316(FIG. 3) may output an indication that the user attention level hasincreased. In some implementations, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)may compare the current brain state frequencies to a threshold range todetermine whether the user attention level has increased or reached athreshold range associated with a particular mood, attentiveness level,etc. For example, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may wait until thebrain state of the user reaches a brain state associated with a 60%attentiveness level. Upon determining that that brain state has beenreached, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may output an indication thatthe user attentiveness level has increased.

In some implementations, once monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) outputsthe indication that the user attentiveness level has increased,monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may generate an instruction to themedia guidance application to select the content source shown in thegrid. For example, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may instruct themedia guidance application to tune to the current channel identified bya highlight region in grid 102 (FIG. 1A). In some implementations, whenmultiple content sources are shown in the media guidance applicationdisplay, upon determining that the user attention level has increased,an eye position detection module (e.g., incorporated into monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3)) may determine where the user's eyes are focused.Specifically, the eye position detection module may identify to themedia guidance application where the user's eyes are focused when theuser attentiveness level has increased. The media guidance applicationmay correlate that information with which content source is shown at theposition being focused by the user's eyes. The media guidanceapplication may then tune or access the content source the user isfocusing on when the user attention level has increased as determined bymonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3).

In some implementations, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may determinewhether, after the threshold period of time (e.g., five seconds), theattentiveness level has not increased following the second blinkdetection or after another mental/physical condition is detected. Inresponse to determining that the attentiveness level has not increasedafter the threshold period of time, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)may instruct the media guidance application to scroll again (e.g., thetime or content source or both) at a given rate (e.g., once per second).Specifically, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may transmit an “ArrowDown” command at a rate of about one command per second until monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3) detects another “blink” from the user (e.g., athird blink). Specifically, the grid shown in display 100 or 200 may bescrolled left/right/up/down at a constant rate automatically until theuser blinks a third time. Until the third blink is detected (e.g., asecond time the user blinks), the grid that is displayed may be scrolledto display additional content sources (e.g., channels) using the downarrow 120 automatically at a constant rate of one content source persecond.

Alternatively, until the third blink is detected (e.g., a second timethe user blinks), the grid that is displayed may be scrolled to displaylater/earlier using the right arrow 120 automatically at a constant rateof thirty minute intervals per second. Monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)may then repeat the process of determining whether the attentivenesslevel of the user has increased to instruct the media guidanceapplication to select a given content source.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may recommend amedia asset based on a current or desired mental state of the user.Specifically, based on a measured brain state of the user monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3) may inform the media guidance application of theuser's current or desired brain state. The media guidance applicationmay then automatically select a media asset to match the current ordesired mental state. For example, the user may be in a happy state ofmind as determined by monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3). Monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3) may inform the media guidance application thatthe user is happy and the media guidance application may select mediaasset that correspond to that state of mind (e.g., comedy media assets).For example, the user may desire to be in a sad state of mind asdetermined by monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3). Monitoring component316 (FIG. 3) may inform the media guidance application that the userdesires to be sad and the media guidance application may select mediaasset that correspond to that state of mind (e.g., drama media assets).

Monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may record the brain states of a userfor a period of time that the user is experiencing a media asset. Afterrecording the brain states while experiencing many media assets, themedia guidance application (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3))may generate correlations with different media characteristics orattributes, such as genre, actors, content sources and other metadata.For example, the media guidance application (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) may determine that the user is usually (e.g.,more than 60-80 percent or greater than a threshold amount of time) in asleep state of mind when watching comedies. Accordingly, the mediaguidance application (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) maycorrelate comedies with a sleep state of mind. Based on thesecorrelations, media guidance application (e.g., via processing circuitry306 (FIG. 3)) may determine a current state of mind and find a mediaasset to match the current state of mind. Specifically, if thecorrelation determines that when the user is in a sleepy state of mind,the user watches comedy type media assets, media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may select a comedy mediaasset when the user is determined to be currently in a sleep state ofmind.

In some implementations, the recommended media assets may be selected toplace the user in a desired state of mind. For example, the user mayinstruct the media guidance application of the desire to enter a sleepystate of mind. The media guidance application may cross-reference thecorrelations generated by monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) todetermine what types of media assets are correlated with the sleepystate of mind for the user. The correlations may indicate that comediesare associated with a sleepy state of mind. Accordingly, the mediaguidance application may select a comedy media asset to cause the userto enter the state of mind (e.g., sleepy) selected by the user. This waya user who is in an active state can tell the media application theywant to enter a sleepy state. Based on past brain activity detected forthe user by monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)), the media guidanceapplication may determine the types of media assets the user needs toconsume to enter the desired state of mind (e.g., sleepy).

In some embodiments, the information received from monitoring component316 (FIG. 3) may be used to select which advertisements to deliver tothe device or user connected to monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3). Forexample, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may receive an indicationfrom the media guidance application that an advertisement needs to bedisplayed. Monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may measure brain states ofthe user to determine a state the user is in. Monitoring component 316(FIG. 3) may inform the media guidance application about the determinedstate of the user. The media guidance application, based on thedetermined state (e.g., sleepy state), may select an advertisementsuitable for the state. For example, the media guidance application mayselect an advertisement about a bed when the user is in a sleepy stateas determined by monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, themedia guidance application may select an advertisement about baseballgame when the user is in an active state as determined by monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may monitor userreactions to the displayed advertisements. Monitoring component 316(FIG. 3) may determine when the user attentiveness level rises when anadvertisement is displayed. For example, the media guidance applicationmay determine that an advertisement is being displayed. In response, themedia guidance application may instruct monitoring component 316 (FIG.3) to monitor the frequencies of the user to determine whether theattentiveness level of the user has increased. Specifically, monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3) may determine whether the brain activityincreased between the time prior to when the advertisement was displayedand when the advertisement was shown. When the brain activity isdetermined to have increased, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) mayindicate that the attention level of the user increased when theadvertisement was displayed. Alternatively or in addition, monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3) may measure the brain frequencies at the time theadvertisement is displayed. When the brain frequencies rise above agiven threshold, monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3) may indicate that theattention level of the user increased when the advertisement wasdisplayed. Based on the indications received from monitoring component316 (FIG. 3) the media guidance application may determine whichadvertisements have the greatest impact or affect on the user (e.g.,which advertisements caused the user's attention level to increase). Themedia guidance application may adjust a user profile based on thedetermination to improve the advertisement targeting/selection in thefuture.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 11 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 11 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in detecting andresponding to various types of brain activity. It should be noted thatprocess 1200 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, or provided by,any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response to brainactivity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process 1200may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3), on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1200 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-11 and 13-18).

At step 1202, the media guidance application receives instructions toinitiate monitoring of brain activity. For example, the media guidanceapplication may receive a user input (e.g., via user input interface 310(FIG. 3)) requesting the media guidance application to switch from afirst mode (e.g., associated with limited brain activity monitoringand/or media guidance application operations) to a second mode (e.g.,associated with associated with expansive brain activity monitoringand/or media guidance application operations). For example, a user mayhave selected selectable option 204 (FIG. 2) instructing a user device(e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) to actively monitorthe brain activity of the user.

At step 1204, the media guidance application may present a mediaguidance application operation. For example, the media guidanceapplication may present a display of an icon (e.g., icon 218 (FIG. 2))on a display screen (e.g., display 200 FIG. 2)) on a user device (e.g.,user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)), which instructs auser regarding the monitoring of brain activity. For example, the icon(e.g., icon 218 (FIG. 2)) may instruct a user to blink his/her eyes inorder to scroll the different media guidance application operations thatare available.

At step 1206, the media guidance application determines whether or not afirst brain activity is detected. For example, the media guidanceapplication may monitor the brain activity of a user for a particulartype of brain activity. For example, the media guidance application may(e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) monitor a particularregion of the brain (e.g., portion 502, 504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5))for a particular type of brain activity (e.g., a particular frequencyrange, frequency band, electrical activity, etc.). In some embodiments,step 1206 may correspond to step 1102 (FIG. 11), and the media guidanceapplication may be configured to detect particular eye blink patternswhile monitoring the brain activity of a user. For example, the mediaguidance application (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) maymonitor alpha bands (e.g., typically associated with eye blinking) inthe globus pallidus of the basal ganglia (e.g., the area of the braintypically associated with controlling eye blinking) of a user (e.g.,user 500 (FIG. 5)) in order to detect an eye blink pattern.

If the media guidance application determines that first brain activityis not detected, the media guidance application returns to step 1204. Ifthe media guidance application determines that the first brain activityis detected, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1208 andretrieves a threshold range necessary for performance of the operation.For example, the media guidance application may retrieve a thresholdrange, which if detected triggers performance of the media guidanceapplication operation. The threshold range may be, depending on the user(e.g., based on information in a user profile), based on the particularmedia guidance application operation to be performed (e.g., eachoperation may be associated with a unique threshold range), based oninformation received from a remote source (e.g., an industry standardthreshold range), etc.

At step 1210, the media guidance application monitors the brain activityof a user. For example, the media guidance application (e.g.,implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., frommonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity(e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brainand/or electrical activity of muscles near the brain at rest and duringcontraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or suitabledevice for monitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-componentof monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may periodically poll the brain activity of a user (e.g., ona predetermined schedule and/or in response to a user input (e.g.,selecting selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may trigger (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) various modes for monitoring brainactivity, in which each mode is associated with a different powerconsumption level and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed belowwith regard to FIGS. 15-16). For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes ofa monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)). In some embodiments,particular modes may be invoked in order to monitor for particular brainactivity and/or in order to monitor particular regions (e.g., portion502, 504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) of the brain (e.g., brain 550 (FIG.5)).

At step 1212, the media guidance application determines the currentbrain activity of the user. For example, the media guidance applicationmay determine a particular frequency range, frequency band, etc. of thecurrent brain activity of the user. At step 1214, the media guidanceapplication determines whether or not the current brain activitycorresponds to the threshold brain activity. For example, the mediaguidance application may determine (e.g., via processing circuitry 306(FIG. 3)) whether the current brain activity of a user (e.g., indicativeof an attentiveness level of the user) corresponds to a threshold range(e.g., indicative of an attentiveness level necessary to perform a mediaguidance application operation). If the media guidance applicationdetermines that the current brain activity does not correspond to thethreshold brain activity, the media guidance application returns to step1210. If the media guidance application determines that the currentbrain activity does correspond to the threshold brain activity, themedia guidance application proceeds to step 1216.

At step 1216, the media guidance application performs the media guidanceapplication operation. For example, if the media guidance applicationoperation is the recommendation of media assets, the media guidanceapplication may, in response to determining the user is unhappy (e.g.,the current brain activity of the user does not meet a threshold rangeassociated with happiness) with a current media asset (e.g., displayedon user equipment 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)), recommend differentmedia assets.

The media guidance application then returns to step 1204. For example,the media guidance application may return to step 1204 and present amedia guidance application operation corresponding to stopping the mediaguidance application operation performed in step 1216 (e.g., stoppingthe recommendation of media assets).

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 12 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 12 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one or more of the steps in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in monitoringparticular regions of a brain for brain activity associated withparticular functions. It should be noted that process 1300 or any stepthereof, could be provided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and6 in response to brain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). Forexample, process 1300 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)on user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which maybe configured as headwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed bythe media guidance application while a user is consuming media content(e.g., displayed on display 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B),display 150 (FIG. 1C), and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one ormore steps of process 1300 may be incorporated into or combined with oneor more steps of any other process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-12 and14-18).

At step 1302, the media guidance application monitors brain activity ofa user in a first region of a brain of the user. For example, the mediaguidance application (e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) mayreceive data (e.g., from monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associatedwith the brain activity (e.g., the current frequency range of voltagefluctuations in the brain and/or electrical activity of muscles near thebrain at rest and during contraction) of a region (e.g., portion 502,504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) of a brain (e.g., brain 510 (FIG. 5)) ofa user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity at different regions of the brain of a userusing an EEG, EMG, or suitable device for monitoring brain waves (e.g.,incorporated as a sub-component of monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)).Alternatively, the media guidance application may periodically poll thebrain activity of a user (e.g., on a predetermined schedule and/or inresponse to a user input (e.g., selecting selectable option 204 (FIG.2)). In some embodiments, the media guidance application may (e.g., viamonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) receive data from various electrodeslocated at various regions on the scalp of a user. In some embodiments,the various electrodes may extend and/or retract from a user device(e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may trigger (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) various modes for monitoring brainactivity, in which each mode is associated with a different powerconsumption level and/or sensitivity level (e.g., as discussed belowwith regard to FIGS. 15-16). For example, the media guidance application(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes ofa monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)) based on a particular region ofa brain of the user that needs to be monitored. For example, if theregion of the brain is more difficult to monitor due to location,density, size/shape of the user device, etc., the media guidanceapplication may adjust the power consumption and/or sensitivity levelaccordingly.

At step 1304, the media guidance application determines a first brainstate associated with a first region of the brain based on the brainactivity of the user in the first region. For example, based on hepresence of a particular frequency range of brain activity in thefrontal lobes, which are typically associated with various emotions, themedia guidance application may (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG.3)) determine that a user is happy.

At step 1306, the media guidance application cross-references the firstregion with a database associated with functions performed by the userusing regions of the brain to determine at least one function the useris performing based on the brain activity of the user in the firstregion of the brain. For example, in response to detecting (e.g., viamonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) the first brain state in a particularregion (e.g., portion 502, 504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) of the brain(e.g., brain 510 (FIG. 5)) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)), themedia guidance application may cross-reference a database to determinethe functions that are typically associated with that region of thebrain.

For example, in response to detecting brain activity in the parietallobe, the media guidance application may (e.g., via control circuitry304 (FIG. 4)) access a database (e.g., located locally at storage 308(FIG. 3) or remotely at any location accessible via communicationsnetwork 414 (FIG. 4)) listing functions of the parietal lobe. Inresponse the media guidance application may receive a particularfunction or a list of functions that the user may be performing based onthe brain activity in the parietal lobe. For example, the media guidanceapplication may (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) determinethat the user is either reading or performing mathematical calculations.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may further filterthe possible functions that a user is performing by analyzing thecontent a user is consuming (e.g., on a display 312 (FIG. 3)). Forexample, in some embodiments, the media guidance application may receiveinformation (e.g., as metadata) describing the current content that auser is consuming. Alternatively or additionally, the media guidanceapplication may incorporate or have access to one or morecontent-recognition modules, which may be used by the media guidanceapplication to analyze media objects and/or the content of mediaobjects. For example, the media guidance application may include anobject recognition module. The object recognition module may use edgedetection, pattern recognition, including, but not limited to,self-learning systems (e.g., neural networks), optical characterrecognition, on-line character recognition (including, but not limitedto, dynamic character recognition, real-time character recognition,intelligent character recognition), and/or any other suitable techniqueor method to determine the objects in and/or characteristics of videoand audio content. For example, the media guidance application mayreceive a media asset in the form of a video (e.g., an audio/videorecording of a user). The video may include a series of frames. For eachframe of the video, the media guidance application may use an objectrecognition module to determine the content and context of a media assetfor use in determining the functions that a user may be performing.

In some embodiments, the content-recognition module or algorithm mayalso include audio analysis and speech recognition techniques,including, but not limited to, Hidden Markov Models, dynamic timewarping, and/or neural networks (as described above) to process audiodata and/or translate spoken words into text or other data forms thatmay be processed by the media guidance application. Thecontent-recognition module may also use any other suitable techniquesfor processing audio and/or visual data. For example, thecontent-recognition module may analyze audio data to determine thecontent and context of a media asset.

In some embodiments, attributes of media content or the assetinformation may indicate that a user is likely performing a particularfunction. For example, if possible functions include reading andperforming mathematical computations, and the current content of themedia asset the user is consuming includes text, but no numbers, themedia guidance application may determine that the function the user isperforming is reading and not number computations.

Upon determining the function a user is performing while consuming amedia asset (e.g., on a display device such as user equipment device402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) the media guidance application determines(e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) whether or not the firstbrain state corresponds to a typical brain state of the user and/or allusers performing the function. For example, if the brain state does notcorrespond (e.g., indicating that the user is straining), the mediaguidance application may (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3))adjust the media asset.

At step 1308, the media guidance application compares the first brainstate to a threshold range for preforming the at least one function. Forexample, the media guidance application may (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) determine the particular frequency range,frequency band, electrical activity, etc. associated with the firstbrain state and compare that information to the frequency range.

At step 1310, in response to determining the first brain state does notcorrespond to the threshold range, the media guidance application mayperform a media guidance application operation associated with the atleast on function. For example, the media guidance application maydetect a first brain state associated with the occipital lobe (e.g.,occipital lobe 516 (FIG. 5)) of the user. In response to determiningthat the occipital lobe is associated with vision, the media guidanceapplication may compare the first brain state of the user to a typicalbrain state of the user (e.g., retrieved from a user profile) associatedwith viewing media assets (e.g., represented by a threshold range). Inresponse to determining that the brain state of the user does notcorrespond to the typical brain state (e.g., indicating that the user ishaving difficulty seeing the media assets, the user is squinting, themedia asset is too bright, etc.), the media guidance application maymodify (e.g., increase the size of text on the display device, reduce abrightness setting of the display device, etc.) the media assets,display settings, etc. in order to align the brain state of the userwith the typical brain state.

In another example, the media guidance application may detect a state ofthe brain activity associated with various regions of the brain in orderto perform a function. For example, the media guidance application maydetect a state of the brain activity associated with the occipital lobe(e.g., associated with vision) and the parietal lobe (e.g., associatedwith reading) of the user. In response to determining that the brainstate of the brain activity associated with the occipital lobe (e.g.,associated with vision) and the parietal lobe (e.g., associated withreading) of the user does not correspond to the typical brain state of auser, while the temporal lobe (e.g., associated with hearing) doescorrespond to the typical brain state of the user (e.g., indicating thatuser is straining to read and/or see a media asset, but not straining tohear a media asset), the media guidance application may modify the mediaassets, display settings, etc. such that text or important events arecommunicated to the user via verbal means (e.g., audio announcements).

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 13 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 13 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in determining afunction associated with particular brain activity. It should be notedthat process 1400 or any step thereof, could be displayed on, orprovided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response tobrain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process1400 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1400 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-13 and 15-18).

At step 1402, the media guidance application receives information on abrain state of a region of a brain of a user. For example, in someembodiments, step 1402 may correspond to step 1302 (FIG. 13). Forexample, the media guidance application (e.g., implemented on userdevice 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., from monitoring component316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity (e.g., the currentfrequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brain and/or electricalactivity of muscles near the brain at rest and during contraction) of aregion (e.g., portion 502, 504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) of a brain(e.g., brain 510 (FIG. 5)) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)).

At step 1404, the media guidance application retrieves a list offunctions performed using the region of the brain of the user. Forexample, in response to detecting brain activity in the occipital lobe(e.g., occipital lobe 516 (FIG. 5)), the media guidance application may(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 4)) access a database (e.g.,located locally at storage 308 (FIG. 3) or remotely at any locationaccessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4)) listing functions ofthe occipital lobe. In response the media guidance application mayreceive a particular function or a list of functions that the user maybe performing based on the brain activity in the occipital lobe. Forexample, the media guidance application may (e.g., via processingcircuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) determine that the occipital lobe is associatedwith visual perception and color perception based on a list received(e.g., via I/O path 302 (FIG. 3)) from the database.

At step 1406, the media guidance application selects a function from thelist of functions. For example, if the list includes multiple functionsthat may be being performed, the media guidance application (e.g., viaprocessing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) selects the first function in thelist. At step 1408, the media guidance application determines whether ornot the selected function corresponds to current activity of the user.For example, if the media guidance application determines that a currentmedia asset (e.g., presented on user equipment 402, 404, and/or 406(FIG. 4)) includes color (e.g., via metadata associated with the mediaasset and/or the object recognition techniques discussed above), themedia guidance application may (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG.3)) determine that a selected function of color perception doescorrespond to the current activity of the user. If so, the mediaguidance application proceeds to step 1410. Alternatively, if the mediaguidance application determines that a current media asset (e.g.,presented on user equipment 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) does notinclude color (e.g., the media asset is consumed in black and white),the media guidance application may (e.g., via processing circuitry 306(FIG. 3)) determine that a selected function of color perception doesnot correspond to the current activity of the user. If so, the mediaguidance application returns to step 1406 and selects a differentfunction from the list of functions.

At step 1410, the media guidance application retrieves a threshold rangeof brain activity associated with the function. For example, thethreshold range may indicate the typical brain activity associated withperforming the selected function. In some embodiments, this step maycorrespond to step 1306 (FIG. 13)). It should be noted that in someembodiments, the media guidance application may determine (e.g., viaprocessing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)) that multiple functions correspond tothe current activity of the user. In such cases, the media guidanceapplication may retrieve composite threshold ranges, which account formultiple functions being performed by a user.

At step 1412, the media guidance application determines whether or notthe brain state corresponds to the threshold range. For example, themedia guidance application may (e.g., via processing circuitry 306 (FIG.3)) compare the frequency range, frequency bands, electrical activity,etc. of the brain state to the threshold range. If the brain statecorresponds to the threshold range (e.g., if the brain state matches thethreshold range within an acceptable deviation), the media guidanceapplication returns to step 1402. If the media guidance applicationdetermines that the brain state does not correspond to the thresholdrange, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1414.

At step 1414, the media guidance application performs a media guidanceapplication operation corresponding to the function. For example, themedia guidance application may cross-reference the function and thebrain state of the user with a database (e.g., located locally onstorage 308 (FIG. 3) or remotely at any location accessible viacommunications network 414 (FIG. 4)) in order to determine a particularmedia guidance application operation that may align the brain state ofthe user with the threshold range.

For example, if the user is having trouble seeing (e.g., as indicated bybrain activity indicative of straining) the media guidance applicationmay generate on screen text in a larger size. In another example, if auser does not have brain activity corresponding to a particular function(e.g., vision) indicating the user has a deficiency related to thatparticular function (e.g., is blind), the media guidance application maydetermine another function (e.g., hearing) associated with a differentregion of the brain (e.g., temporal lobe) and modify the media asset(e.g., generate audio announcements of subtitles) such that that regionof the brain is used by a user to consume the media asset.

At step 1416, the media guidance application receives updatedinformation on the brain state. For example, the media guidanceapplication (e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receivenew data (e.g., from monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated withthe brain activity (e.g., the current frequency range of voltagefluctuations in the brain and/or electrical activity of muscles near thebrain at rest and during contraction) of a region (e.g., portion 502,504, 506, and/or 508 (FIG. 5)) of a brain (e.g., brain 510 (FIG. 5)) ofa user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)) in order to determine whether or notmodifying the media asset was successful in aligning the brain state ofthe user with the threshold range. The media guidance application thenreturns to step 1412.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 14 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 14 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in changing auser device from one mode to another based on brain activity. It shouldbe noted that process 1500 or any step thereof, could be provided by,any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response to brainactivity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process 1500may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1500 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-14 and 18).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application (or a user deviceupon which the media guidance application is implemented) may managepower consumption of the user device based on brain activity of a user.For example, the media guidance application may operate in a pluralityof modes each associated with a power consumption and/or sensitivitylevel.

At step 1502, the media guidance application receives a user request tomonitor brain activity of a user with a user device, in which the userdevice operates in a first mode and a second mode, and wherein the firstmode is associated with a first power consumption level and the secondmode is associated with a second power consumption level. For example,the media guidance application may receiving a user input (e.g., viauser input interface 310 (FIG. 3)) requesting that a user device (e.g.,user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) operate in a first mode or asecond mode.

At step 1504, the media guidance application, in response to the userrequest, monitors the brain activity of the user with the user device inthe first mode. For example, the media guidance application may receivea user selection (e.g., of selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)), initiatingthe monitoring the user's brain activity. Upon initiation, the mediaguidance application may operate in a first mode (e.g., as determined byPMU 318 (FIG. 3)).

At step 1506, the media guidance application, in response to detectingthe brain activity of the user does not correspond to a threshold range,changes from the first mode to the second mode and monitors the brainactivity of the user with the user device in the second mode.

For example, the media guidance application (or a user device upon whichthe media guidance application is implemented) may include a “sleepmode” (e.g., a lower powered/lower sensitivity mode) that is initiatedafter prolong periods of similar brain activity and/or repetitive brainactivity cycles. For example, the media guidance application mayinitiate the sleep mode in response to determining that the brainactivity of the user has dropped below a first threshold range (e.g.,associated with an awake user). In another example, the media guidanceapplication may detect that the brain activity of the user exceeds asecond threshold range (e.g., associated with a sleeping user), and inresponse, initiate an “active mode.”

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 15 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 15 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in determiningwhen to change a user device from one mode to another based on brainactivity. It should be noted that process 1600 or any step thereof,could be provided by, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 inresponse to brain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). Forexample, process 1600 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)on user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which maybe configured as headwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed bythe media guidance application while a user is consuming media content(e.g., displayed on display 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B),display 150 (FIG. 1C), and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one ormore steps of process 1600 may be incorporated into or combined with oneor more steps of any other process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-15, 17and 18).

At step 1602, the media guidance application monitors brain activity ofa user in a first mode. For example, the media guidance application(e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g.,from monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brainactivity (e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuations inthe brain and/or electrical activity of muscles near the brain at restand during contraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)) based on apower consumption and/or sensitivity level of the first mode.

At step 1604, the media guidance application determines whether or not auser input requesting a switch to a different mode is received. Forexample, the media guidance application may receive various inputs(e.g., via user input interface 310 (FIG. 3)) from a user. The mediaguidance application may receive a request from a user to lower acurrent power consumption and/or sensitivity level of a user device(e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) in order to extend thelife of an energy storage device or limit the exposure of a user (e.g.,user 500 (FIG. 5)) to activities of the monitoring component.Alternatively, the media guidance application may receive a request froma user to increase a current power consumption and/or sensitivity levelof a user device (e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) inorder to generate more accurate results and/or monitor a particularregion of the brain.

If the media guidance application receives a user input request toswitch to a different mode, the media guidance application proceeds tostep 1616. If the media guidance application does not receive a userrequest to switch to a different mode, the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 1606.

At step 1606, the media guidance application determines whether or not athird party instruction to switch to a different mode is received. Forexample, the media guidance application (e.g., implemented in userdevice 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)) may receive instructions (e.g.,via I/O path 302 (FIG. 3)) for particular modes the user deviceconfigured. For example, a remote source (e.g., media guidance datasource 418 (FIG. 4)) may determine the particular brain activity and/orregions of the brain that should be monitored. In such cases, the mediaguidance application may need to operate in a particular mode.

If the media guidance application receives a third party instruction toswitch to a different mode, the media guidance application proceeds tostep 1616. If the media guidance application does not receive a thirdparty instruction to switch to a different mode, the media guidanceapplication proceeds to step 1608.

At step 1608, the media guidance application determines whether or not achange in the brain activity is detected. For example, the mediaguidance application may detect a change (e.g., via monitoring component316 (FIG. 3)). If the media guidance application does not detect achange, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1612. If themedia guidance application determines a change was detected, the mediaguidance application proceeds to step 1610 and determines if the changewas within the threshold range. For example, in some embodiments, themedia guidance application may allow for transient variations andamplitudes as long as the variations and amplitudes are within athreshold range. If the change is not within the threshold range, themedia guidance application proceeds to step 1616. If the change iswithin the threshold range, the media guidance application proceeds tostep 1612.

At step 1612, the media guidance application determines whether or notto automatically switch based on a lack of change in brain activity isenabled. For example, a user may enable automatic switching based on alack of change in brain activity (e.g., via user input interface 310(FIG. 3)) in order to extend the life of an energy storage device orlimit the exposure of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5) to the activitiesof a monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Forexample, a user may request the media guidance application to engage a“sleep” mode after determining that a user has maintained a particularthreshold range for a particular amount of time. For example, a user maybe sleeping, consuming a feature length media asset, and/or performinganother activity that does not require media guidance. If automaticswitching is not enabled, the media guidance application returns to step1602. If automatic switching is enabled, the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 1614.

At step 1614, the media guidance application determines whether or notthere has been a lack of change in brain activity during a thresholdperiod of time. For example, the media guidance application mayautomatically switch to a different mode, the media guidance applicationdoes not detect (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) a changein the brain activity of the user during a particular amount of time.

In some embodiments, the media guidance may select the particular amountof time constituting the threshold period of time based on instructionsreceived from storage 308 (FIG. 3). Alternatively or additionally, themedia guidance application (e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG.3)) may receive instructions from a remote source (e.g., any locationaccessible via communications network 414 (FIG. 4)). The media guidanceapplication may also receive a user input (e.g., via user inputinterface 310 (FIG. 3)) customizing the threshold period of time. If themedia guidance application determines that there has been a change inbrain activity within the threshold period of time, the media guidanceapplication returns to step 1602. If the media guidance applicationdetermines that there has not been a change within the threshold periodof time, the media guidance application proceeds to step 1616 andswitches to a second mode.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 16 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 16 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in halting themonitoring of brain activity in based on brain activity of a user. Itshould be noted that process 1700 or any step thereof could be providedby any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response to brainactivity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process 1700may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1700 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-16 and 18).

At step 1702, the media guidance application receives a user request tomonitor the brain activity of the user with a user device. For example,in some embodiments, the media guidance application may perform variousmedia guidance application operations (e.g., as discussed above) basedon a user achieving (or varying from) a particular brain state. In orderto enable performing the various media guidance operations based on thebrain activity of the user, the media guidance application may firstneed to be activated.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may receive a userinput (e.g., via user input interface 310 (FIG. 3)) indicating that theuser would like to initiate brain activity monitoring. In someembodiments, the user input may power on the user device, and/or in someembodiments, the user input may adjust the mode of the user device(e.g., as discussed above).

At step 1704, the media guidance application monitors the brain activityof the user. For example, the media guidance application (e.g.,implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) may receive data (e.g., frommonitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associated with the brain activity(e.g., the current frequency range of voltage fluctuations in the brainand/or electrical activity of muscles near the brain at rest and duringcontraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5))).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may continuouslymonitor the brain activity of a user using an EEG, EMG, or a suitabledevice for monitoring brain waves (e.g., incorporated as a sub-componentof monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)). Alternatively, the media guidanceapplication may periodically poll the brain activity of a user (e.g., ona predetermined schedule and/or in response to a user input (e.g.,selecting selectable option 204 (FIG. 2)).

At step 1706, the media guidance application compares the brain activityof the user to a threshold range. For example, the media guidanceapplication may retrieve a threshold range, which if detected causes themedia guidance application to issue instructions (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) to perform one or more actions (e.g., poweringoff the user device, adjusting the current mode of the user device,performing a media guidance application operation, etc.).

In some embodiments, the threshold range may depend on the user (e.g.,based on information in a user profile), and/or may be based on theparticular action to be performed (e.g., each media guidance applicationoperation may be associated with a unique threshold range), based oninformation received from a remote (e.g., an industry standard thresholdrange) or local source (e.g., storage 308 (FIG. 3)), etc.

To compare the brain activity of the user to the threshold range, themedia guidance application may first identify a brain statecorresponding to the brain activity of the user. The brain state maycorrespond to the average frequencies and amplitudes of brain waves inthe brain of a user. For example, a brain state may be associated withthe average frequencies and amplitudes of brain activity of a user overa period of time (e.g., 5 seconds). For example, if the threshold rangeover the period of time includes an average frequency of 4 Hz and anamplitude of 15 microvolts (e.g., as determined by processing circuitry306 (FIG. 3)), and the brain activity of the user averages a frequencyof 5 Hz and/or 10 microvolts over the period of time, the media guidanceapplication may determine that the brain activity and/or brain statedoes not correspond to the threshold range. In another example, thethreshold range may be associated with frequencies between 3-5 Hz andamplitudes of between 10-20 microvolts. In response to determining thatthe brain activity of a user does not have frequencies between 3-5 Hzand/or amplitudes between 10-20 microvolts (e.g., as determined byprocessing circuitry 306 (FIG. 3)), the media guidance application maydetermine that the brain activity and/or brain state does not correspondto a threshold range.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19 below, within minutes of a user fallingasleep the brain activity of the user (e.g., the amplitudes associatedwith different frequencies) may decrease dramatically. FIG. 10 shows apercent decrease in the amplitudes of various frequency bands one minuteafter a user closed his eyes and began resting. As shown in FIG. 19above, certain frequency bands may experience dramatic changes as a userengages in different behaviors. Accordingly, the media guidanceapplication (e.g., via monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) may detectthese changes and compare the changes (or the brain activity after thechanges) to the threshold range). For example, as a user falls asleep,the media guidance application may determine that the brain activity ofthe user no longer corresponds to a threshold range associated with auser being awake.

In another example, an EMG (e.g., incorporated into a monitoringcomponent 316 (FIG. 3)) may determine that the muscles near the brain(e.g., associated with the blinking of the eyes) showed a decrease ofeye blinks from every two or three seconds to about one blink perminute. In such cases, the threshold range may be expressed in terms ofelectrical activity in the muscles near the brain and/or the number ofeye blinks over a particular period of time.

At step 1708, the media guidance application in response to determiningthat the brain activity of the user does not correspond to the thresholdrange based on the comparison, instructs the user device to ceasemonitoring the brain activity of the user. For example, the mediaguidance application may trigger (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG.3)) various modes for monitoring brain activity, in which each mode isassociated with a different power consumption level and/or sensitivitylevel (e.g., as discussed above with regard to FIGS. 15-16). One suchmode may correspond to the user device (e.g., user device 300 (FIG. 3))being powered-off. For example, the media guidance application (e.g.,via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may induce different modes of amonitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) inresponse to instructions and/or information received from a powermanagement unit (e.g., PMU 318 (FIG. 3)) in order to extend the life ofan energy storage device or limit the exposure of a user (e.g., user 500(FIG. 5)) to activities of the monitoring component. In someembodiments, the power consumption and/or sensitivity level may beassociated with being monitored for a particular brain state. Forexample, if monitoring of the particular brain state requires a lower(or no) degree of sensitivity, the media guidance application (e.g., viacontrol circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) may instruct PMU 318 (FIG. 3) to switchto a mode corresponding to a lower level of sensitivity and/or powerconsumption level.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 17 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 17 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is a flow-chart of illustrative steps involved in performing amedia guidance application operation based on brain activity of a user.It should be noted that process 1800 or any step thereof could beprovided by any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 in response tobrain activity of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG. 5)). For example, process1800 may be executed by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) on user equipmentdevice 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4) any of which may be configured asheadwear (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the media guidanceapplication while a user is consuming media content (e.g., displayed ondisplay 100 (FIG. 1A), display 130 (FIG. 1B), display 150 (FIG. 1C),and/or display 200 (FIG. 2)). In addition, one or more steps of process1800 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of anyother process (e.g. as described in FIGS. 7-17).

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of FIG. 18 may be usedwith any other embodiment of this disclosure. In addition, the steps anddescriptions described in relation to FIG. 18 may be done in alternativeorders or in parallel to further the purposes of this disclosure. Forexample, each of these steps may be performed in any order or inparallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag or increase thespeed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyof the devices or equipment discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-4 and 6could be used to perform one of more of the steps in FIG. 18.

At step 1802, the media guidance application monitors the brain activityof a user using a user device. For example, in some embodiments, step1802 may correspond to step 1704 (FIG. 17). For example, the mediaguidance application (e.g., implemented on user device 300 (FIG. 3)) mayreceive data (e.g., from monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3)) associatedwith the brain activity (e.g., the current frequency range of voltagefluctuations in the brain and/or electrical activity of muscles near thebrain at rest and during contraction) of a user (e.g., user 500 (FIG.5))).

At step 1804, the media guidance application determines a brain state ofthe user. For example, the media guidance application may receive datafrom a monitoring component (e.g., monitoring component 316 (FIG. 3))incorporated into and/or in communication with (e.g., via communicationsnetwork 414 (FIG. 4) a user device (e.g., user device 300 (FIG. 3)and/or user equipment device 402, 404, and/or 406 (FIG. 4)) upon whichthe media guidance application is implemented. The media guidanceapplication may (e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) process thatdata to determine a brain state that corresponds with the retrieveddata. For example, the receiving data may correspond to a particularfrequency range and/or electrical activity of the muscles near aparticular region (e.g., frontal lobe 512 (FIG. 5)) of a brain (e.g.,brain 510 (FIG. 5)) of the user.

At step 1806, the media guidance application determines whether or notthe brain state corresponds to the threshold range. For example, in someembodiments, step 1806 may correspond to step 1706 (FIG. 17). Todetermine whether or not the brain state corresponds to the thresholdrange, the media guidance application (e.g., via processing circuitry306 (FIG. 3)) may determine whether or not the bounds and/or valuesassociated with the brain state are within the bounds and/or valuesassociated with the threshold range.

If the media guidance application determines that the brain state doescorrespond to the threshold range, the media guidance applicationreturns to step 1802. If the media guidance application determines thatthe brain state does not correspond to the threshold range, the mediaguidance application proceeds to step 1808.

At step 1808, the media guidance application determines whether or notto perform a media guidance application operation. For example, in someembodiments, the media guidance application may issue instructions(e.g., via control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) to perform one or more mediaguidance application operations (e.g., record and/or pause a currentlypresented media asset, lower the volume of a display device, etc.). Forexample, if the media guidance application determines that a user hasfallen asleep (e.g., the brain state of a user no longer corresponds tothe threshold range associate with an awake user), the media guidanceapplication may record and/or pause the media asset. In another example,the media guidance application may additionally or alternatively lowerthe volume of the display device and/or set an alarm/reminder for when auser needs to wake up.

If the media guidance application determined to perform one or moremedia guidance application operations the media guidance applicationproceeds to step 1810 and performs the media guidance application beforeproceeding to step 1812. If the media guidance application determinesnot to perform the media guidance application operation the mediaguidance application proceeds to step 1812 without performing any mediaguidance application operation.

At step 1812, the media guidance application determines whether or notto deactivate the user device. For example, in some embodiments, themedia guidance application may issue instructions (e.g., via controlcircuitry 304 (FIG. 3)) to power off the user device and/or change theuser device to a different mode (e.g., corresponding to a differentpower consumption level). For example, if the media guidance applicationdetermines that a user has fallen asleep (e.g., the brain state of auser no longer corresponds to the threshold range associated with anawake user), the media guidance application may turn off the user device(e.g., user device 600, 630, and/or 660 (FIG. 6)).

If the media guidance application determines to deactivate the userdevice the media guidance application proceeds to step 1814 anddeactivates the user device. If the media guidance applicationdetermines not to deactivate the user device, the media guidanceapplication returns to step 1802. For example, the media guidanceapplication may determine to adjust the power consumption level of theuser device (e.g., as described in FIGS. 15-16) to a different moderather that deactivate the user device.

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentdisclosure is limited only by the claims which follow. Furthermore, itshould be noted that the features and limitations described in any oneembodiment may be applied to any other embodiment herein, and flowchartsor examples relating to one embodiment may be combined with any otherembodiment in a suitable manner, done in different orders, or done inparallel. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may beperformed in real-time. It should also be noted, the systems and/ormethods described above may be applied to, or used in accordance with,other systems and/or methods.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of performing an operation of a mediaguidance application in response to activity of a brain of a user, themethod comprising: monitoring brain activity in a first region of thebrain of the user, wherein the first region is associated withcontrolling eye blinking; detecting a first eye blink pattern of theuser in the first region of the brain of the user, wherein the first eyeblink pattern begins with an eye blink; in response to detecting thefirst eye blink pattern, initiating monitoring of brain activity in asecond region of the brain of the user, wherein the second region isassociated with an attentiveness level of the user; cross-referencingthe brain activity associated with the attentiveness level of the userwith a database associated with attentiveness levels and correspondingbrain activity to determine the attentiveness level of the user;comparing the attentiveness level of the user to a thresholdattentiveness level; determining, based on the comparing, that the userhas a low attentiveness level when the attentiveness level of the useris below the threshold attentiveness level; and in response todetermining that the user has the low attentiveness level, performing anoperation that simultaneously executes a media guidance function andgenerates for display an icon on a display screen that provides feedbackto the user related to the brain activity of the user and instructs theuser to increase the attentiveness level of the user in order to haltexecution of the media guidance function.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising halting performance of the operation in response todetecting a second eye blink pattern.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first eye blink pattern comprises at least one eye blink.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein monitoring the brain activity of the userfurther comprises receiving data from an electroencephalogram unitindicating a first frequency range of the brain activity of the user orreceiving data from an electromyogram unit indicating first electricalactivity of muscles near the brain of the user at rest and duringcontraction.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electroencephalogramunit or the electromyogram unit is incorporated into a mobile headset,wherein the mobile headset is battery powered.
 6. The method of claim 4,further comprising: cross-referencing the first frequency range of thebrain activity of the user with a database associated with frequenciesof brain states to determine the brain activity associated with anattentiveness level of the user or cross-referencing the firstelectrical activity of the muscles near the brain of the user with adatabase associated with electrical activity of brain states todetermine the brain activity associated with an attentiveness level ofthe user.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation furtherincludes a navigation command, a fast-access playback command, aselection command, or a settings command.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising generating for display a plurality of media listingsin response to detecting the first eye blink pattern, wherein theoperation includes navigating the plurality of media listings based ontime or media provider.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingselecting one of the plurality of media listings in response todetermining the attentiveness level of the user satisfies the thresholdattentiveness level while performing the operation.
 10. A system ofperforming an operation of a media guidance application in response toactivity of a brain of a user, the system comprising user inputcircuitry; and control circuitry configured to: monitor brain activityin a first region of the brain of the user, wherein the first region isassociated with controlling eye blinking; detect, using the user inputcircuitry, a first eye blink pattern of the user in the first region ofthe brain of the user, wherein the first eye blink pattern begins withan eye blink; in response to detecting the first eye blink pattern,initiate monitoring of brain activity in a second region of the brain ofthe user, wherein the second region is associated with an attentivenesslevel of the user; cross-reference the brain activity associated withthe attentiveness level of the user with a database associated withattentiveness levels and corresponding brain activity to determine theattentiveness level of the user; compare the attentiveness level of theuser to a threshold attentiveness level; determine, based on thecomparing, that the user has a low attentiveness level when theattentiveness level of the user is below the threshold attentivenesslevel; and in response to determining that the user has the lowattentiveness level, perform an operation that simultaneously executes amedia guidance function and generates for display an icon on a displayscreen that provides feedback to the user related to the brain activityof the user and instructs the user to increase the attentiveness levelof the user in order to halt execution of the media guidance function.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is furtherconfigured to halt performance of the operation in response to detectinga second eye blink pattern.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein thefirst eye blink pattern comprises at least one eye blink.
 13. The systemof claim 10, wherein the control circuitry configured to monitor thebrain activity of the user is further configured to receive data from anelectroencephalogram unit indicating a first frequency range of thebrain activity of the user or receive data from an electromyogram unitindicating first electrical activity of muscles near the brain of theuser at rest and during contraction.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe electroencephalogram unit or the electromyogram unit is incorporatedinto a mobile headset, wherein the mobile headset is battery powered.15. The system of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry is furtherconfigured to: cross-reference the first frequency range of the brainactivity of the user with a database associated with frequencies ofbrain states to determine the brain activity associated with anattentiveness level of the user or cross-reference the first electricalactivity of the muscles near the brain of the user with a databaseassociated with electrical activity of brain states to determine thebrain activity associated with an attentiveness level of the user. 16.The system of claim 10, wherein the operation further includes anavigation command, a fast-access playback command, a selection command,or a settings command.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the controlcircuitry is further configured to generate for display a plurality ofmedia listings in response to detecting the first eye blink pattern,wherein the operation includes navigating the plurality of medialistings based on time or media provider.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the control circuitry is further configured to select one of theplurality of media listings in response to determining the attentivenesslevel of the user satisfies the threshold attentiveness level whileperforming the operation.